Sharks lose to Oilers, because of course they did

So predictable I wrote the headline and lede an hour before the game started, the Sharks lost 5-4 in a shootout to the Edmonton Oilers, breaking their impressive win streak and giving the Oilers their first road win against a Western Conference team. Earlier this season, the Sharks gave the Oilers their first win period against a Western Conference team.

Joe Pavelski started off the scoring on a gorgeous and typical Thornton-to-Pavelski redirect play that underlines why Pavelski has the most power play goals in the NHL. Coming into tonight, the Oilers had won only five games when allowing the first goal, which would seem encouraging for any team but the Sharks.

The Oilers proceeded to rattle off three straight goals, including a gorgeous Jordan Eberle toe drag that made both Patrick Marleau and Antti Niemi look silly. Though it wouldn’t be the Oilers without a similar collapse. The Sharks came roaring back in the third with three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead, including Scott Hannan’s (!!!) first of the season.

In expected fashion, the Sharks allowed the Oilers to tie the game late, sending it to overtime and eventually the shootout. Rob Klinkhammer mercifully ends the game in round 13. There were only three goals scored in the shootout. It was as bad as it sounds.

[Fancy Stats] – [Oilers Reaction]
[Event Summary] – [PBP Log] – [TOI Log] – [Faceoff Report]

• It’s been said time and time again, but every point Joe Thornton earns at this point adds to his legend. Tonight he reached the 600 assist mark with the Sharks alone, a feat that had been achieved by only two players previously. He’s also just one point away from being 36th all-time in points.
• After perhaps one of his best games in teal, Antti Niemi was not very good tonight. Granted, the skaters were lackadaisical on far too many plays, but he should have had three of the goals. Though he was strong in the shootout, it was too little, too late.
• Logan Couture, who normally plays so well against the Oilers, was not at his best tonight. Sloppy defensively, and none of his plays seemed to connect. Not to solely call out Couture – the entire second line of Couture, Marleau, and Nieto sucked, to be honest – but it’s odd.
• Tomas Hertl had a very questionable disallowed goal based on goaltender interference by James Sheppard. Scott Hannan’s goal later in the game – where he bowled over Victor Fasth – had even more contact in the crease, yet stood. It was odd, yet felt like the Hannan goal was a bit of a make-up call.
• The Dillon-Tennyson pairing is really clicking in the offensive zone, but defensively they still leave something to be desired.
• Joe Pavelski was so close to getting a hat trick in the final seconds of the third period, a fan actually tried to throw his hat on the ice as the period expired. I’m sure that fan wishes he had his hat back.
• Rob Klinkhammer robbed us of a John Scott shootout attempt.

FTF Three Stars

1st Star: Jordan Eberle
2nd Star: Joe Pavelski
3rd Star: Joe Thornton