Make it seven straight losses for the San Jose Sharks, who fell 5-4 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Sharks and awful starts are becoming an iconic duo during their now seven-game losing streak. It’s a habit that they dig themselves into situations that they cannot get out of and it was no different against the Blackhawks.
In the first period, the Sharks fell behind 3-0, setting themselves up for another long night. Lukas Radil did help bring the Sharks back into the game, making it 3-1 before the period ended.
Unlike Tuesday’s matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, the Sharks were able to find a way out of their early hole.
After making Gustav Nyquist brought the Sharks within one, the Blackhawks just as quickly regained their two-goal lead. The Sharks kept pushing, scoring two goals to tie the game, but the happiness didn’t last long. With under two minutes left in the second period, Chris Kunitz put the Blackhawks back on top.
It looked as though the Sharks had exhausted all strength to come back from a 3-0, as they were unable to score in the third period to climb out of one more hole.
Pregame
The San Jose Sharks will meet the Chicago Blackhawks tonight and losing this game would be especially embarrassing. Not only are the Blackhawks barely within reach of a playoff spot, but the Sharks’ losing streak would reach seven games — something that hasn’t happened since February of 2013. The only guys from that team still around are Justin Braun, Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. You know, the major players of the franchise.
The Blackhawks are seven points out of a wildcard position, but are not technically eliminated yet. They’re going to be starting Corey Crawford for the 11th game in a row, which seems a little ridiculous. Then again, I guess that means they have a goaltender they can trust. I do envy that.
The Sharks are 2-0 against the Blackhawks this season, though both wins have been ugly. Ugly or not, I think we’d all take a win at this point.
Lines
Sharks
Expected Scratches: Erik Karlsson (groin), Joe Pavelski (lower body), Radim Simek (knee), Micheal Haley (healthy)
Blackhawks (via nhl.com):
Alex DeBrincat — Jonathan Toews — Patrick Kane
Brendan Perlini — David Kampf — Dylan Strome
Brandon Saad — Artem Anisimov — Dylan Sikura
Chris Kunitz — Marcus Kruger — Dominik Kahun
Duncan Keith — Erik Gustafsson
Gustav Forsling — Brent Seabrook
Slater Koekkoek — Connor Murphy
Corey Crawford
Cam Ward
Expected Scratches: Drake Caggiula (concussion), John Hayden (healthy), Carl Dahlstrom (healthy)
Where to Watch
The game is available on NBCS California Plus and NBCS Chicago. You can stream the game with NHL.tv or ESPN+. Radio listeners can find the call at 98.5 KFOX. Check back soon for live thoughts and reactions!
Hey everyone, Eddie here and I’ll be with you all for tonight’s match up against the Blackhawks!
First Period
18:55: Some early scoring chances for the Blackhawks, but the puck remains out
17:27: Penalty. Sharks are called for goaltender interference
16:44: Penalty. Sharks are down two men as they are called for high-sticking
15:50: Goal. Bad starts to the game rear their head for the Sharks again as Chicago takes the early lead with a power play goal
15:50: Sharks are challenging for goaltender interference
15:50: Call stands, Chicago goes up 1-0
14:44: Sharks kill the high-sticking penalty
13:41: Goal. Connor Murphy scores and it’s 2-0, might be a long night
9:07: Goal. This is getting ugly really quick as Jonathan Toews makes it 3-0
8:01: GOAL! Sharks get one back as Radil makes it 3-1
7:40: Sharks with a 3 on 1 but fail to generate a scoring chance
5:46: Some good chances and flow on the power play, still waiting for the goal though
4:37: At the doorstep, but the Sharks can’t whack it into the net
4:33: Chicago kills their penalty
2:07: Power Play. Blackhawks are called for tripping
:07: Sharks with some good chances, but Chicago kills the penalty
End of the First Period
Second Period
19:18: Power Play. Sharks have a chance to get within one here again
17:27: GOAL! Gus Nyquist scores on the power play and makes it 3-2 Sharks!
15:39: Goal. Blackhawks make it 4-2
15:14: Power Play. Sharks go back on the man advantage as they try and cut the lead back to one again
14:38: Power Play. Sharks will go on a 5 on 3 power play
13:31: GOAL! Sharks cut the lead to one as they get their own goal on a 5 on 3 power play
9:46: Sharks come close to tying the game!
3:54: GOAL! Timo Meier ties the game! The Sharks were able to climb out of a 3-0 hole
1:52: Goal. The Blackhawks retake the lead
End of the Second Period
Third Period
19:42: Blackhawks with a 2 on 1 but Jones denies them
13:18: A lot of scoring chances for both sides but no goals
10:24: Jones with the save to keep it a one goal game
6:30: Vlasic loaded up a slapshot but Crawford denies him
3:12: Vlasic again with a scoring chance but Crawford says no
1:26: Sharks with the empty net
Final: Sharks 4, Blackhawks 5
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