What looked like a potential runaway victory for the San Jose Sharks turned into a nail-biter as they held on for a 5-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
The opening period saw the Sharks get off to a good start. Shots and scoring chances were being generated, but Coyotes rookie goaltender Adin Hill was there to keep them off the scoresheet.
However, in the final six minutes of the period, the Sharks struck not once, but twice within 50 seconds. Joe Pavelski earned the opening goal with tip-in off of Brenden Dillon’s shot. Then Logan Couture found his way behind the defense to make it 2-0.
In the second period, the Sharks looked as though they’d run away with this game after Evander Kane made it 3-0, but the Coyotes didn’t lay down. They answered right back with two unanswered goals to cut the Sharks’ lead to one goal heading into the third period.
After giving up three straight goals, the Coyotes responded with their third consecutive goal when Richard Panik went five-hole to beat Aaron Dell and tie the game in the third period. A three-goal lead evaporated, and the game was on the edge of of a downward spiral, but the Sharks got help from an unlikely hero.
Lukas Radil scored on a backhand shot to the far post to get his first NHL goal and regain the Sharks’ lead. Tomas Hertl added an empty net goal and the Sharks left Glendale with a win.
Pregame
The road hasn’t been kind to the San Jose Sharks over the past two weeks, racking up just one win in their last six games away from SAP Center. Tonight, the Sharks conclude a two-game road trip on the back end of a back-to-back, taking on the Arizona Coyotes.
With their current struggles, the Sharks find themselves tied with the Vegas Golden Knights in the points department of the Pacific Division with 33. The Arizona Coyotes are hanging around with 28 points, so they’re in striking distance and have played three fewer games than the Sharks. Safe to say that the Sharks need to take all two points, particularly against these division foes.
On the other hand, the Coyotes are on a small hot streak, winning four of their last five games, leading to the team being in the race for a playoff spot in a weaker than expected division.
Lines
With no morning skate and reports to go on, here are the Sharks’ projected lines per NHL.com:
Forwards
Tomas Hertl — Logan Couture — Joe Pavelski
Timo Meier — Joe Thornton — Marcus Sorensen
Evander Kane — Antti Suomela — Joonas Donskoi
Melker Karlsson — Barclay Goodrow — Kevin Labanc
Defense
Radim Simek — Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon — Erik Karlsson
Marc-Edouard Vlasic — Justin Braun
Goalies
Aaron Dell
Martin Jones
They look similar to what Pete DeBoer rolled out last night in Dallas, with the only difference coming in net, where Aaron Dell will more than likely get the start tonight.
As for the Arizona Coyotes, here’s how NHL projects their lineup:
Forwards
Alex Galchenyuk — Nick Schmaltz — Clayton Keller
Conor Garland — Derek Stepan — Christian Fischer
Richard Panik — Brad Richardson — Josh Archibald
Lawson Crouse — Nick Cousins — Mario Kempe
Defense
Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Kevin Connauton
Jakob Chychrun — Niklas Hjalmarsson
Alex Goligoski — Jordan Oesterle
Goalies
Adin Hill
Calvin Pickard
The recently acquired Nick Schmaltz will center the top line alongside Alex Galchenyuk and Clayton Keller, which is arguably the Coyotes’ most talented line and one that will give the Sharks trouble.
Where to Watch
It’s an early puck drop from Gila River Arena at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET, broadcast on NBC Sports California or heard on KFOX 98.5. Check back then for updates and live coverage.
First Period
20:00: Puck drop is here, let’s get this first meeting of the season underway!
16:53: Sharks are generating shots and a few scoring chances, but Hill is stopping them all
15:09: Dell with a good save on Keller to deny the Coyotes the first goal
14:08: Melker Karlsson with a wraparound attempt but is unable to score
12:03: Richardson is at the door steps with a scoring opportunity but Dell is there to deny him
8:02: The Sharks fourth line with a solid scoring chances with bodies around the net but the puck stays out
5:24: GOAL. Joes Pavelski gets his stick on the puck to tip it past Hill and it’s 1-0 Sharks
4:34: GOAL. Two quick goals by the Sharks as Couture gets behind the defense and makes it 2-0
1:29: Keller had a breakaway chance but Braun closed the gap before Keller could get a shot off
Second Period
19:34: The Coyotes some how don’t surrender a goal as the Sharks generate another scoring chance but the puck stays out
18:09: Nick Schmaltz with a scoring chance but fans on the shot
14:50: GOAL. Evander Kane races for the puck and then beats Hill to make it 3-0 Sharks
13:30: Penalty. Sharks are heading to the penalty as Kevin Lebanc is called for slashing
13:05: Goal. The Coyotes chip away at the Sharks lead with a power play goal as Nick Schmaltz makes it 3-1
9:17: Goal. Another Coyotes goal courtesy of a tip-in by Richardson and the lead is cut to one
7:53: Power Play. Galchenyuk is called for high-sticking and it’s an odd man chance for the Sharks
5:53: The Coyotes are able to kill the Sharks penalty and keep the deficit to one
Third Period
15:17: Chances are being generated but the score remains in tact
14:15: Goal. Richard Panik goes five-hole and beats Dell. There goes the 3-0 lead.
5:47: GOAL. Lukáš Radil scores his first NHL goal and more importantly, gives the Sharks the lead with a beautiful backhand shot to the far-post
5:24: Coyotes goal is waved off by the referees but it’s still under review
5:24: Call stands, NO GOAL and the score remains 4-3
1:08: Coyotes pull Hill for the extra skater
:50.3: GOAL. Tomas Hertl scores the empty-netter and it’s 5-3 Sharks
Final: Sharks 5, Coyotes 3
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