The Sharks returned home for the first time
since November 27th following a 6-game road trip that netted them 7 points in
the standings. San Jose would only enjoy home cooking for the contest on
Tuesday night as they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in a nail biter at SAP
Center. Scoring 3rd period goals has been the Sharks new found talent, which
was on full display as William Eklund converted a power play chance to secure
the win for San Jose.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 36 saves to
notch his 4th win of the season. The netminder was spectacular when the Sharks
needed him to be. He made 9 big saves in a 3rd period that would decide the
winner of the contest.
The Sharks controlled the tempo for much of the
opening period, out-shooting Winnipeg 12-1 at the 6 minute mark. They would
cash in on their 13th shot when new right winger Justin Bailey pumped a shot
from the high slot that evaded goaltender Laurent Brossoit. The goal was
Bailey's first goal since March of 2018.
Former Sharks defenseman
Brendon Dillon knotted the game up at 1-1 with just under 4 minutes to play in
the period. Dillon floated a puck that was either deflected or it crossed up
goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood who clipped it with his glove before it
deflected into the Sharks goal.
Neither team would score in the middle period, even
though both had their chances. The Jets would hold a 14-11 edge in shots in the
middle frame, and both teams traded a power play chance.
The penalty
kill has been a gaping hole in the Sharks game this season. Winnipeg enjoyed 5
power play chances on the night, but the Sharks found a way to keep the puck
out of their own net. Rookie defenseman Henry Thrun lobbed a puck over the
glass 2:39 into the 3rd period which setup a critical moment in the contest.
San Jose didn't get a single clear during the kill, but they kept Winnipeg from
scoring.
A Dylan Demelo hooking penalty with 6:26 setup a go-ahead
goal for the Sharks when Eklund bagged his 7th of the season. Mikael Granlund
fed the Sharks rookie for the one time chance from the right dot. Eklund'd shot
squeezed between Brossoit and the right post for the 2-1 lead.
A Mike
Hoffman hooking penalty with 3:32 to play was the Sharks biggest test in the
game and they came out with flying colors. The penalty killers suppressed the
Jets from generating anything remotely challenging for Blackwood.
It
was Winnipeg's last shot but the Sharks held serve.
Game
Notes: * Sharks captain Logan Couture skated for the first time
this season at the Sharks training facility. Couture made comments to the media
that he feared two months ago that he may never play in the NHL again.
* The Jets were without leading scorer Kyle Connor who was injured in a
knee-on-knee hit in Anaheim on Sunday.
* The Sharks had three players
return to the lineup after they dealt with injury issues. Anthony Duclair
missed Sunday's game in Vegas after suffering what is suspected to be a head
issue. William Eklund returned after missing Sunday's game as well. Luke Kunin
also returned after missing the last 5 games.
* Matt Benning was
formally moved to the injured reserve. He has been out since December 5th with
a lower body injury.
* Eklund's game winning goal was the 4th of the
season for the rookie. Mikael Granlund extended his point scoring streak to 6
games where he as scored 2 goals and 9 assists.
