As the San Jose Sharks prepare to face the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, concluding a three-game road trip, two truths stand out. Yaroslav Askarov is currently among the top-performing goalies in the NHL, while the Sharks have shown that they can struggle against any opponent despite recent improvements.
In their previous matchup against the Calgary Flames, the Sharks faltered in a disappointing 2-0 loss, marking the end of a seven-game point streak and a four-game winning streak. The Sharks’ performance was marred by poor puck management, which led to a mere six shots on goal in the first two periods. Askarov shone in net despite the team’s lackluster effort, making 34 saves and keeping the Sharks in the game until the final whistle.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky did not hold back in his assessment of the game, stating, “We were awful tonight. (Askarov) was unbelievable. It shouldn’t have been a 2-0 game, that’s for sure. He was the only one who was ready to play.”
The Sharks’ slow start in this game mirrored a troubling trend from their recent performances. They have shown flashes of competency, such as an impressive 40-shot outing against the Los Angeles Kings on October 28, only to lose in regulation. Their recent victory against the Minnesota Wild was another example of their inconsistency, as they played poorly but still managed a win. This inconsistency raises concerns as the Sharks needed to come out strong against a Flames team that has struggled offensively this season.
Defenseman Mario Ferraro echoed the frustration of the team’s performance, stating, “Aside from him, I don’t think we did one good thing out there.” With the Sharks struggling to create quality scoring opportunities, they have managed only four goals in 5-on-5 situations over their last four games.
Veteran defensemen Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg struggled significantly against Calgary, each contributing to turnovers that nearly cost the team. These players are vital to the Sharks’ power play, which has been ineffective overall, converting only 2 of 26 opportunities in their last nine games, highlighting an area that needs immediate improvement.
Sam Dickinson, who was on the ice for the Flames’ second goal, admitted responsibility for the breakdown that allowed the opposition to take the lead. Meanwhile, the decision to play Dickinson over Shakir Mukhamadullin raised eyebrows, as both defensemen are expected to play critical roles in the Sharks’ future.
Askarov’s performance remains a bright spot for the Sharks, boasting a .965 save percentage over his last five starts. Despite being still early in his career, he shows promise as one of the most composed goalies the Sharks have seen in recent years.
With Alex Nedeljkovic returning to the active roster after personal time off, the Sharks may have options for their next game against the Kraken as they look to bounce back from this setback. The Sharks will need to rally and harness their full potential to reclaim their momentum against a Kraken team eager for redemption after their own recent struggles.