The San Jose Sharks have lost yet another game in overtime, the team’s ninth overtime loss this season. Getting a point against the Montreal Canadiens is an empty victory at this point in the season since the team isn’t playing for a playoff spot. Worse yet, this is another instance where the Sharks held a one-goal lead in the third period and simply could not put the game away. In his interview after the game, Nico Sturm understood that the Sharks need to reach another level to take that next step.
“I think the one thing we haven’t done all year is score another goal. Either when we’re up or when the game’s tied to score another goal and put, you know, two-goal leads, three-goal leads. That’s what we haven’t done,” said Sturm. “The next step is to score that extra goal, to get the two-goal lead, that three-goal lead. That’s what we got to do.”
In terms of how the team played, the Sharks were the better team on the ice at 5v5 play.
While the Sharks and the Canadiens were equal in possession in the first period, San Jose took over play in the second and third periods.
As for who the best lines were at 5v5, it was clearly the line of William Eklund, Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli.
| Players | TOI | CF% |
| Zetterlund – Wennberg – Smith | 13:18 | 47.83% |
| Kostin – Sturm – Graf | 6:40 | 37.50% |
| Kunin – Dellandrea – Goodrow | 10:27 | 56.52% |
| Eklund – Celebrini – Toffoli | 16:22 | 71.43% |
Lane Hutson one ups Celebrini
This was a chance to showcase Hutson vs. Celebrini and unfortunately for Sharks fans, Canadiens fans will be bragging today.
Both players were dominant in last night’s game. Hutson played 21:07 at even strength and had a 58.97% Corsi for. In the meantime, Celebrini played 19:43 at even strength and had a 72.22% Corsi for.
However, on the scoresheet, it was Hutson who registered a single assist. The assist put him in rare territory.
Lane Hutson is the first rookie defenceman to collect 40 assists in fewer than 60 games since Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92 #GoHabsGo
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 28, 2025
The assist also put Hutson two points up on Celebrini in the rookie scoring race. Celebrini did not register a point.
What’s more, Celebrini had the unfortunate fate of being part of the highlight reel game-winning goal by Cole Caufield.
GOAL CAUFIELD WINS IT IN STYLE! 🥵
— NHL (@NHL) February 28, 2025
Cole pulls off a disgusting move for the @Energizer overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/Od9WHRdTwN
It was an experienced goal scorer taking advantage of a rookie.
The Future is Teal
The young Sharks factored heavily into the goals scored by the team last night.
On the first goal, it was Will Smith winning the race to the puck while already knowing where he was going to go with it.
Smitty finds Zetts to open the scoring 🤝
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) February 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/E1BEiHKntR
Smith pushed it back to Fabian Zetterlund, who finished things off.
Not to be outdone, Collin Graf showed off his skating skills later in the first period.
An incredible effort from Graf sets up a Storm score 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/EpstdYBn7U
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) February 28, 2025
Graf wove his way through the Montreal defenders and caused enough chaos to allow Graf to feed Nico Sturm in the slot.
Then, there was Smith’s second point of the night.
WILL SMITH TOP SHELF FOR THE LEAD 🚨
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) February 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/XCFGOlkaAn
This was simply a great shot by Smith, who is heating up as the season wears on.
Scoring summary for San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens Feb. 27, 2025
First Period
3:56 SJS Fabian Zetterlund from Will Smith and Alex Wennberg
6:49 MON Nick Suzuki from Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky
12:38 SJS Nico Sturm from Klim Kostin and Collin Graf
19:04 MON Nick Suzuki from Lane Hutson and Jayden Struble
Second Period
17:21 SJS Will Smith from Shakir Mukhamadullin and Alex Wennberg
Third Period
2:22 MON Alex Newhook from Patrick Laine and Owen Beck
Overtime
3:21 MON Cole Caufield from Nick Suzuki and Sam Montembeault
