San Jose Sharks Unable To Recover From Bad Second Period, Lose To Avs

Nov 15, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock (32) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

This afternoon the San Jose Sharks (26-10-6, 58 points) lost to the Colorado Avalanche (26-11-4, 56 points) by the final score of 4-3 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Avalanche got a majority of their scoring done in a short amount of time during the second period and that would eventually be San Jose’s downfall.

That sequence, which lasted just 1:06, saw the Avalanche score three times on goals by Jamie McGinn, Erik Johnson, and Nathan MacKinnon. Even worse, starter Antti Niemi was yanked after the second goal in that sequence in favor of backup Alex Stalock. MacKinnon then proceeded to break Stalock into the game by scoring on Stalock’s first shot faced. By that point it was 4-0 and Colorado was in full control.

However, the San Jose Sharks were able to strike twice as well. Their first goal of the game came on the tail end of a five-on-three power play as Joe Pavelski put home a rebound to make it 4-1.  About a minute and a half later Patrick Marleau would score on a one-timer during a delayed penalty as he blasted a slapshot top-shelf and just like that San Jose cut the lead to 4-2.

In the third Colorado would lock it down defensively, but not before the Sharks would add one more to the scoreboard. Logan Couture would score his fourth goal in as many games, this time on a rebound opportunity, from the front of the net after an initial shot from the point was deflected on net. At that point it was 4-3.

However, as stated earlier Colorado would lock it down, although the Sharks would get one more golden opportunity on the power play with four minutes left in regulation. That great chance would come on a breakaway up the middle for Pavelski but would be stopped as he tried to fire the puck to Semyon Varlamov’s left. After that San Jose would pull Stalock but could not get any sustained pressure in the zone resulting in the 4-3 loss.

Tomorrow night the Sharks will face the Chicago Blackhawks in what will be a tough game, especially on the second half of a back-to-back. It will be a tough test tomorrow night, so tune in for the game which will be a nationally televised one.

GGS 3 Stars
1. Nathan MacKinnon (2 goals)
2. Patrick Marleau (1 goal, 2 assists)
3. Semyon Varlamov (30 saves)