SAN JOSE – As odd as it sounds for a team that’s lost six of its last seven games and has once again fallen to near the bottom of the NHL standings, the San Jose Sharks are going to be able to take at least some positives into their game Saturday against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
But there’s also the matter of the albatross hanging around their necks right now, and that’s their repeated inability to close out games when holding a third-period lead.
It has reached record-setting proportions.
With their 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, in which they led by one but allowed three straight goals in the final 12 minutes, the Sharks (11-19-5) become the first team in NHL history to lose three consecutive games in regulation, all at home, after having a lead in the third period in each game.
Last Saturday, a 3-2 Sharks lead over the Utah Hockey Club with just over 10 minutes left in the third period turned into a 4-3 regulation time loss. On Tuesday, the near-exact same situation played out against the Winnipeg Jets, who scored twice in the final 8:04 of regulation time en route to a 4-3 win at the Tank.
On Thursday, the Sharks held a 2-1 lead in the third period but allowed a Mikko Rantanen power-play goal at the 8:26 mark.
After the Sharks failed on two straight power play chances, the Avalanche took the lead for good, with forward Joel Kiviranta scoring the first of his two third-period goals at the 13:06 mark for a 3-2 Colorado lead.
The Sharks are in every game against these playoff-caliber teams but have forgotten how to close the deal, although scoring a fourth goal Thursday in a crucial moment would have been a start.
“It’s extremely frustrating because we should be getting points, we should be winning some of these games, and we’re learning how to win,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “I know I sound like a broken record saying that, but I truly believe we’re going to start winning these games.”
Start with the Sharks’ power play, which sometimes generated some decent looks Thursday but still came up empty and was a decisive factor in the game. If the Sharks score just once, either when they had a third-period lead or later on when it was tied, they’re probably celebrating a win against a star-studded team.
“Puck movement, I feel like that’s a huge thing,” said forward William Eklund, whose even-strength goal at the 9:29 mark of the second period gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead. “All of us need to be open for a shot with more puck moment.”
The Sharks held the potent Avalanche to six high-danger chances during 5-on-5 play through two periods and eight for the game. At even strength, they skated and closed out on defense, once again putting themselves in a position to win.
Early in the third period, Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev kept his team in front with a pair of big saves on Valeri Nichushkin.
Nathan MacKinnon was his usual dangerous self and finished with two assists. Still, the Sharks can take some solace in the way they were able to limit Colorado’s playmakers — before it once again all went off the rails in the third period.
Now, can they do the same against the Oilers at Rogers Place against Leon Draisaitl, who has 50 points in 32 games, and Connor McDavid, who has 45 in 29?
They go from trying to slow down one Hart Trophy winner in MacKinnon to two others in Draisaitl and McDavid.
“We were quick to close in our d-zone, and when we did that, we got (the puck) out, and we played down in their end,” said Sharks winger Luke Kunin said, adding that it’ll be “no different against Draisaitl and McDavid and the talent they have. Another good test for us. Looking forward to it.”
After winning three straight games from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, the Sharks were 24th in the NHL’s overall standings and were only three points out of a playoff spot (although other Western Conference teams had multiple games in hand).
Now the Sharks are in 29th place, just two points ahead of the cellar-dwelling Nashville Predators. By the time the Sharks begin their Christmas break after their game with the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, there is a chance they’ll occupy 32nd place, just like they did for most of last season.
Close losses don’t count for much, especially when they keep happening.
“We’re in it against really good teams. We’re playing with some pretty good structure. Our effort is pretty solid. Our competitiveness is there,” Warsofsky said. “(But) when it’s time to make a play, we’re just a little off.”