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Quick bites: Sharks fall 3-2 in shootout vs. Detroit

Posted on by Annie Moore

Look, pass, release. Sam Dickinson scored his first NHL goal and point, on a night that meant more than just hockey. It was Hockey Fights Cancer night at the SAP Center, and the San Jose Sharks fought a tough battle with the Detroit Red Wings all the way to a shootout, where they ended up losing 2-3.

First period

Dylan Larkin won the opening faceoff, and from there, it was a relatively slow start. Philipp Kurashev got two minutes for hooking about three minutes in, and the Sharks were on an early penalty kill. Mario Ferraro and Vincent Desharnais really shone, making key blocks for San Jose. They stuck it out and were back to 5-on-5.

The Red Wings had not played a game since October 31st and were very alert, whereas the Sharks seemed a bit tired in the first half of the period. They were not able to hold onto pucks as well as Saturday night.

That went on for most of the period. Unfortunately, Will Smith was sent to take too many men on the ice minor, giving Detroit another power play.

Timothy Liljegren looked great on the penalty kill, showing he battles well through adversity (or a puck to the face). And with a really tight special team, the Sharks made it out okay yet again, two for two on the penalty kill.

Celebrini looked hungry, with many great looks on goal. But the period ended scoreless.

Second period

Three minutes in, the Sharks were on the team’s first power play when Travis Hamonic tripped Alex Wennberg. The Sharks were able to produce chances, though they still looked tired. Sadly, nothing was produced.

Shakir Mukhamadullin was making his presence very known on the ice. He made a really nice block when the goal was wide open for Detroit. Those are the players that are vital for this team, putting it all on the line.

The Sharks forecheck was looking very steady, especially from the younger guys like Cardwell. And the communication was there from the vets, with Wennberg and Barclay Goodrow almost setting up a nice shot from the corner. They were looking connected. Composed.

But even in that, stuff happens. In the last two minutes, Detroit’s Lucas Ryamond was able to get it over Alex Nedeljkovis’ shoulder, giving them the 1-0 lead.

The period ended on that note.

Third period

It took a second for the puck to drop. Actually, a few, but the period started with a Wennberg Faceoff win. And that energy continued when Jeff Skinner tapped a puck from Kurashev into the net. The game was tied.

Just a minute in, and the Sharks were answering really well, clearly.

Around ten minutes left, Mukhamadullin almost got into it with Raymond, showing a bit of grit. While this game has not been all that physical in that way, it’s a part of the game that can change energy.

Energy can also shift poorly. Moritz Seider had a very nice snipe that got past Nedeljkovic, and made the score 2-1 in Detroit’s favor.

That physicality did pick up following the goal, with a little squabble by the goal, involving most players on the ice. Celebrini and Seider ended up in the box, with Seider getting an extra two for roughing. Jonathan Berggren served the two minutes for Seider. That led to a Sharks power play and while the Sharks did not score on the man advantage, the team did score a bit later. Dickinson scored his first NHL goal and tied the game.

The confidence level went way up, and the Sharks kept playing hard until the end of the period, and they were heading into the team’s 6th overtime of the year.

Overtime

Kurashev, Wennberg, and Lijergen started in OT, just like yesterday. Kurashev got a good shot, but missed. Dickinson was then swapped in alongside Smith and Celebrini, a real future is teal line.

Ethan Cardwell got a piece of the action after an over 2-minute shift with Smith. Detroit almost had it, but Nedeljkovic’s leg didn’t allow it. Another key shot from Liljegren, and just like that the clock ran out. It was time for the first shootout of the season.

In the shootout, Lucas Raymond took the first shot on goal for Detroit with a wrist shot that was saved by Nedeljkovic. Macklin Celebrini responded with a wrist shot that was stopped by Talbot. Alex DeBrincat followed for Detroit, but his wrist shot was again saved by Nedeljkovic. Will Smith then missed for San Jose with a wrist shot that went wide left. Dylan Larkin missed next for Detroit, also shooting wide left. Kurashev came up for San Jose and rang a wrist shot off the crossbar. Finally, James van Riemsdyk scored for Detroit, giving the Red Wings the point. Tyler Toffoli took the final attempt for San Jose with a backhand shot that was saved sealing the win for Detroit.

Postgame

It was a hard fought game, but the result was not there for its number of reasons. Could be the absence of William Eklund due to his injury, Michael Misa’s absence as the Sharks continue to monitor his develpoment, or the simple throw off in the mix because of team chemistry. But Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky still knows what needs work.

“Puck management has got to be cleaned up, or we’re going to be shooting ourselves in the foot very soon,” he said. “We’re still not completely there. Yet.” 

Which is true, a few wins is good but its about putting in the work and cleaning up the little parts of the game that hinder the team most. Warsofsky stays positive and looks to the future.

“The confidence is coming in, the belief is coming. We still, you know, again, we can get better,” he said.

But in the eye of the storm, Dickinson got his first goal and NHL point last night, after a chaotic past 24 hours. He was told he would play on Sunday before Saturday night’s game, played an Original Six team, and got the point.

“It was a hell of a pass, I think right before we [me and Will Smith] kind of made eye contact, and at that point, I think I knew it was coming,” Dickinson says about the play. “I just knew that it was going to come. I kind of just crept down hoping to get into a spot, and, you know, I found myself open … I think it was just a good hockey play, knowing that that puck was coming and went for him to make that pass.”

Surely, lots of emotions this past day for Dickinson, and he is glad it has finally happened.

“It was exciting. Nice to get it out of the way finally, would have been a little more exciting with a win, but we move on to the next game,” he added.

Scoring summary Detroit Red Wings at San Jose Sharks Nov. 2, 2025

First period
No scoring

Second period
18:05 DET Lucas Raymond from Axel Sandin Pellikka and Dylan Larkin

Third period
0:49 SJS Jeff Skinner from Philipp Kurashev and Dmitry Orlov
10:16 DET Moritz Seider from Simon Edvinsson and Alex DeBrincat
16:55 SJS Sam Dickinson from Will Smith and Patrick Giles

Overtime
No scoring

Shootout
DET Lucas Raymond stopped by Alex Nedeljkovic
SJS Macklin Celebrini stopped by Cam Talbot
DET Alex DeBrincat stopped by Alex Nedeljkovic
SJS Will Smith shot it wide
DET Dylan Larkin shot it wide
SJS Philipp Kurashev shot it off the crossbar
DET James van Riemsdyk scored
SJS Tyler Toffoli stopped by Cam Talbot

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