The San Jose Sharks arrived in Denver for their final game before the Olympic break looking to set the recent past aside. After three losses in a row, each of which felt like a lost opportunity to keep pace in the playoff race, the team was in search of something positive to take into the pause. However, an always severe challenge against the league’s best, the Colorado Avalanche, stood in their way. The last time San Jose faced Colorado in Denver, the team had no answers in a 6-0 loss. This time around, the Sharks put up a much better fight, but still fell 4-2 to the Avalanche.
There’s no shame in losing to this Avalanche team; Colorado seems destined to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. While the Sharks have broken through the phase of being placated by “moral victories” alone, this was probably their most complete effort since their 5-2 win over Vancouver on January 27th. The Sharks can take relief in the facts that (1) they put up a better effort, and (2) they mercifully have the next few weeks to reset for the most important push of hockey the team has had since the 2018-19 season.
Of note, Kiefer Sherwood made his long-anticipated debut as a Shark. The winger had been sidelined with an injury since the team acquired the energetic winger from the Vancouver Canucks on January 19. Bench boss Ryan Warsofsky started Sherwood on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith – definitely a nice way to get welcomed to the team. Also, rookie Michael Misa, who’d been playing better since returning from World Juniors, was promoted to second line center, along with other lineup juggling in a grasp at some spark up front.
The Sharks, on Askarov’s back, kept the game scoreless after one period, then fell down by two in the second after giving up 17 shots in that period. The Sharks’ fourth line of Goodrow, Ostapchuk, and Gaudette looked like it had a goal on Blackwood late in that frame, but as it was determined inconclusive upon review, the on-ice call of “no goal” was affirmed. The Sharks still clawed back into the game, with two goals in just under four minutes to begin the third period. This would be the end of the rope for the team, though, as Colorado would pull ahead midway during a four-on-four and hang on to win.
Sherwood’s debut
Most eyes, rightly so, were on Kiefer Sherwood tonight. His debut flew by quietly for the first two periods, despite getting a look with the team’s most talented two forwards in Smith and Celebrini. Sherwood, along with most of the Sharks, made more of an impact in the third period. At the peak of the game’s tension, as the teams traded chances at a frantic pace, Sherwood made two key defensive plays on Cale Makar to poke the puck off his stick. He, along with Smith and Celebrini, created a few other close looks towards the end, but could not beat Mackenzie Blackwood or Colorado’s stalwart defense.
The Sharks brought Sherwood in for his goal-scoring touch, hard checking, and his reputation as a team leader. Post facto, the newest Shark left us with a glimpse to leave Sharks fans excited for what’s to come after the Olympics:
Askarov a wall
After a subpar outing in the loss at Chicago, Warsofsky went back with Askarov in net. In turn, Askarov rewarded Warsofsky for that call and gave the Sharks excellent goaltending for the full 60. He was sharp right from the draw and made several challenging saves on first-, and second-opportunities. A few times in the night, Askarov settled the game down for San Jose when Colorado was primed to put them away. His ability to come back better from a difficult outing in Chicago was a positive sign, and for a young goalie it is more important to have as many good moments to draw from. His puck play was efficient tonight and significantly helped to reduce the amount of time Colorado could swarm on offense. For fans who would rather watch their goalie stay put in net, that reluctance is simply not in Askarov’s DNA. When done right, it is a major asset, as we saw last night.
At this point of the season, Askarov has 17 wins in 35 starts, on a journey that has had many highs and lows. In the big picture, this is still his first full season in the NHL, and for his development it is good to see that he continues to get starts in difficult situations. He has shown he can push through a challenge at this level and provide elite-level goaltending.
Playoff hopes, and managing the moment
While it is unbelievable, given where expectations were at the start of the season, that the Sharks would be in serious contention for a playoff spot, their chances have take a bit of a hit. Their recent string of losses and the news that the Los Angeles Kings, in direct contention with the Sharks for a playoff spot, acquired Artemi Panarin prior to tonight’s game, make the odds slightly more bleak than they were just two weeks ago.
We wouldn’t be having this conversation without the outstanding play of Macklin Celebrini, who has brought the Sharks far and away ahead of schedule. Perhaps there was a learning moment for Celebrini in tonight’s game. The Sharks had done well to keep the score close enough and then tie it at 2 early in the third. Celebrini, as always, was pushing the pace and keeping the momentum going for the team. The top line had just drawn a penalty against the Avalanche, and was about to go on the power play in the middle of the third with a chance to take a lead. Celebrini likely did not realize there was a delayed call against the Avalanche yet, but following the whistle he turned to slash the stick out of Brent Burns’ hands, taking a penalty himself. His inner fire took over for a moment in the wrong way, because what was to be a potential power play turned into a four on four, during which Colorado scored the eventual game winning goal.
That fierce edge in Celebrini is a strength, but in that moment it might have cost the team an important man advantage. Of course, Celebrini will always try to make up for his mistakes, whether real or perceived. He almost helped the team tie the game up later on in the final push. Ninety-nine times out of one hundred, you want that mean streak, especially when the game gets as tight as it did. For the Sharks’ coaching staff, it’s a delicate balance of bringing that competitiveness out of him and the rest of the team, while staying cool in the moments you need to be.
Highlight
Philipp Kurashev’s goal to tie the game early in the third was the peak of the game for San Jose, and make no mistake – this was an impressive feat. Going into this third period, the Avalanche were 30-0-0 when leading after two periods. They have shut it down all season, and while they eventually beat the Sharks with a third goal later on, getting this game evened up was a statement.
Scoring Summary
First Period
Second Period
1:05 COL Artturi Lekhonen from Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar
15:47 COL Artturi Lekhonen from Nathan Mackinnon and Valeri Nichushkin
Third Period
00:43 SJS Timothy Liljegren from Alex Wennberg and John Klingberg
03:34 SJS Philipp Kurashev
12:44 COL Josh Manson from Valeri Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon
