To say the Sharks have had a disappointing start to the 2017-18 would be a serious understatement. Before last night’s final game of the season-opening homestand, the Sharks were 1-3 including starting the season 0-2 with a loss to heated rival, the LA Kings. With each of the first five games at home, fans and players hoped to have a better showing by the boys in teal. Tuesday night was their last chance to gain momentum heading into a brutal five-game East Coast road trip.
As bad as the Sharks have had it, the Canadiens have been as bad. In their first five games, they are 1-3-1, and were hoping to beat the Sharks, and kick off their California road trip with some fire.
It only takes 16 seconds
From the drop of the puck, history was fighting against the Montreal Canadiens, who have not won a game at the Shark Tank since November 23, 1999. Not intimidated by history, Montreal called upon their core of veterans and franchise pedigree to storm the tank.
San Jose met the Canadien’s ferocity with equal vigor, and at just 3:50 of the first, Logan Couture buried a carom off the boards. Montreal netminder Carey Price covered the bounce well, but couldn’t match the attack speed of Couture sweeping from left to right across the face of the goal.
Sharks fans still had the SAP Center rocking, and the PA announcer was announcing the goal to Logan Couture when Jonathan Drouin chipped the puck over Martin Jones’ left shoulder to tie the game.
Montreal only needed 16 seconds to stun Sharks’ fans to silence.
The 2nd Period of Penalties and Goals
In real estate, they say, “it’s all about location.” In hockey, Joe Pavelski proves the saying applies on the ice as well. Just 53 seconds into the 2nd period the Sharks captain stepped into the line of a shot from Kevin Lebanc, causing it to deflect just enough to sneak past Carey Price.
Forward Tomas Hertl extended the Sharks lead on a power play at 8:03 of the 2nd with one of the coolest redirects I have ever seen. He received a pass from Joe Thorton, and slid it off the heel of his stick, through his legs, and past the pads of Price. Not sure if it was purposeful or not, but it sure looked good.
Two minutes later, with the Canadiens on a power play of their own, Shea Weber buried a pass from Victor Mete that no goalie could have stopped.
Weber has a shot that is reminiscent of the 1990’s Disney film “The Mighty Ducks.” When he makes solid contact that puck flies like a laser blasting through friend and foe alike. Weber’s goal slowed the Sharks’ momentum, and for a few moments, it seemed like the Canadiens were right back in the game.
Two and a half minutes later, the Sharks would steal back any energy Montreal could muster. Logan Couture lanced a genius pass from Pavelski into an open left half of the net. Joe Pavelski is widely known as being one of the best redirectors in hockey, and his redirection of Time Heed’s pass to a sprinting Couture left Price’s net wide open and vulnerable.
Couture’s second goal of the game gave the Sharks a 4-2 lead which they would ride until Joe Thornton landed an empty-netter at 19:17 of the third.
His goal was point number 1,394 of his illustrious career tying him with Luc Robitaille for 21st in NHL history. Joe Thornton is 2nd among active players behind only the ageless Jaromir Jagr.
What’s next
Unfortunately for the Montreal Canadiens, they face the 4-0-1 Los Angeles Kings tonight in game two of a back to back. Coming off a tough loss to San Jose, Montreal will have a chore ahead of them.
The San Jose Sharks kick off a five-game road trip on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are 5-1, but the Sharks hope to keep the aggression strong and get their season on track to a Stanley Cup title.
