Without a handful of veteran players, the San Jose Sharks were no match for the Colorado Avalanche, who scored four first-period goals and never looked back in a 7-2 win on Thursday at Ball Arena.
The Sharks got goals from Fabian Zetterlund, Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund but could not slow down defenseman Cale Makar, who had two goals and four assists to lead the Avalanche to its fourth straight win.
Goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves for the Sharks, who wrapped up a seven-game road trip with a 2-3-2 record. San Jose’s next game is at home on Saturday against the New York Islanders.
The Sharks made two trades before facing the Avalanche, sending goalie Vitek Vanecek on Wednesday and center Nico Sturm on Thursday to the Florida Panthers. San Jose also held out forward Luke Kunin and defenseman Jake Walman from the game.
While Kunin was held out for roster management purposes, Walman was reportedly being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. By the time Thursday’s game in Denver ended, no trade had officially been announced.
The NHL trade deadline is Friday at noon (PST). Defenseman Mario Ferraro has also been rumored to be on the move.
Zetterlund’s goal, his 17th of the season, came on the power play at the 10:08 mark of the first period. The goal cut Colorado’s lead to 2-1, but the Avalanche responded with power play goals from Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas before the end of the period.
Celebrini’s goal, which Eklund assisted, was his 20th of the season. Eklund’s goal with 2:36 left in the third period marked his 100th career NHL point. He now has a team-leading 48 points this season.
Nathan MacKinnon had five points for the Avalanche.