From the San Jose Sharks’ perspective, there was nowhere to go however up after they had been throttled by the Vancouver Canucks earlier this week.
Now as they return to San Jose, that’s additionally true from an NHL standings standpoint.
The Sharks had a one-goal lead within the second interval Saturday however allowed three straight to the Calgary Flames in what grew to become a 5-3 loss on the Saddledome, marking San Jose’s ninth consecutive defeat because it ended a three-game street journey.
Logan Couture, Nico Sturm, and Martin Kaut all scored and Erik Karlsson had two assists because the Sharks fell to 19-39-15, with their .363 factors proportion rating because the worst within the NHL.
Nonetheless, Saturday’s efficiency was markedly higher than the one they gave Thursday when the Sharks barely confirmed up in what grew to become a 7-2 loss to the Canucks.
“What we talked about (Friday) is you'll be able to’t give up,” Sharks coach David Quinn stated after Saturday’s recreation. “That’s in all probability the largest insult you'll be able to any athlete. We’ve bought to proceed to play to the type we wish to play.”
The Sharks open a two-game homestand towards the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
Notes from Saturday’s recreation:
KARLSSON CHASES CENTURY MARK: Karlsson assisted on Couture’s objective on the 14:25 mark of the primary interval, setting him up with a nifty cross towards the Flames’ crease, then had the secondary help on Sturm’s objective on the 4:52 mark of the second that tied the sport 2-2.
Karlsson now has 68 assists this season, breaking the Sharks’ single-season file of 67 set by Brent Burns in 2018-19. He’s additionally 10 factors away from 100, a milestone no defenseman has reached because the New York Rangers’ Brian Leetch had 102 in 1991-92.
Now that he’s come this far, Karlsson stated Saturday it might be particular to succeed in the century mark within the final 9 video games.
“It’s going to be a tricky ask. It has been for some time,” stated Karlsson, who has 12 factors in 11 video games because the commerce deadline. “Guys come to the rink daily and present up for one another and we discover enjoyment within the smaller issues as of late. Hopefully, we are able to empty the tanks and all people can finish on a greater foot than the earlier 72 video games.”
“I actually hope he can get to 100,” Couture stated. “It will imply loads to him, and it might imply loads to each man on this room. He’s had an unimaginable yr.”
POWER PLAY STRUGGLES: The Sharks went 0-for-3 on the ability play Saturday, together with two missed possibilities within the third interval. In 22 video games because the all-star break in early February, San Jose is 7-for-57 in energy play alternatives, a 12.3 p.c success fee that ranks second-to-last within the NHL.
Quinn prompt that had the ability play been a minimum of common in that point, Karlsson may’ve reached 100 factors by the center of subsequent week, if not already. Karlsson has 69 even energy factors, which ranks second within the NHL, trailing solely Edmonton famous person Connor McDavid, who had 70 earlier than the Oilers’ recreation Saturday evening.
“Are you able to think about if our energy play was going at a mean fee, what (Karlsson) would have?” Quinn stated. “Our energy play has been abysmal for 2 months and possibly, if it may ever get going right here within the final 9 video games, he would possibly get (to 100) by Wednesday.”
NEW KID IN TOWN: Someday after his season with Harvard ended, defenseman Henry Thrun signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Sharks and is instantly becoming a member of the crew. Thrun may doubtlessly be within the Sharks’ lineup as quickly as Tuesday.
Thrun’ contract, which expires after the 2023-24 season, carries, per CapFriendly, a $912,500 wage cap hit and a mean annual worth of $1,031,250.
Thrun had 33 factors, together with 26 assists, in 33 video games this season with Harvard, which superior to the NCAA Division I Match and misplaced 8-1 to Ohio State on Friday within the first spherical. In three seasons at Harvard, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Thrun had 84 factors in 99 video games.
Thrun, 22, was a fourth-round draft alternative by Anaheim in 2019, however he knowledgeable the Geese that he wouldn't signal with them. That prompted Anaheim to commerce him, and the Sharks acquired him on Feb. 28 for a 2024 third-round draft decide. After 4 years, NCAA gamers can turn out to be unrestricted free brokers if they continue to be unsigned. Thrun may have turn out to be a UFA in August.
Quinn stated he and Thrun have recognized one another “for a very long time, and we bought a very good participant. Trying ahead to seeing him when he will get into city.”
In one other transaction Saturday, the Sharks assigned Nikolai Knyzhov to the Barracuda. Knyzhov had one help in 9 video games with the Sharks since his emergency recall from the AHL on March 5.
Per CapFriendly, and as confirmed by Knyzhov’s agent, Dan Milstein, Knyzhov must play six extra NHL video games this season or he turns into a Group VI free agent this offseason, free to signal with any crew. He has 68 video games, and he wants to succeed in 74, CapFriendly instructed this information group.
Knyzhov’s first yr of North American skilled hockey was in 2019-2020. He's on a one-year, $850,000 deal this season and if he performs six video games for the Sharks or extra, he’ll turn out to be a pending restricted free agent.
The Sharks have 9 video games remaining. Additionally, Knyzhov, 25, can even now not be waivers-exempt if he performs 4 extra NHL video games.