SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks concluded their three-game homestand with disappointment, suffering a 4-2 defeat to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd of 17,435 at SAP Center. This loss was particularly frustrating as it came against a Kraken team that had only secured one victory in their previous 11 games and sat at the bottom of the Pacific Division.
The Sharks initially held a 2-1 lead until early in the third period when Ryker Evans launched a shot from the blue line that slipped past a screened goalie Yaroslav Askarov just 1:55 into the frame, leveling the score. The situation worsened for the Sharks when Ryan Lindgren scored his first goal of the season, putting the Kraken ahead 3-2 with a shot that got through Askarov’s blocker with 15:33 left in the game.
Despite their efforts, the Sharks struggled to regain momentum and could not find the equalizer, ultimately missing a crucial chance to pick up points against a struggling opponent. Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette were the Sharks’ scorers, with Gaudette netting his eighth goal of the season during the team’s third power play opportunity in the second period.
The Sharks had established a strong presence during the second frame, carrying much of the play, particularly following their power play goal that leveled the match. A chaotic sequence saw Eeli Tolvanen score the first goal for the Kraken, capitalizing on a turnover that resulted from a failed defensive play by the Sharks.
Askarov had a busy night in goal, turning away 28 shots, including a stellar save late in the first period that kept the game scoreless at that point. The young goalie’s performance has shown promise, with increasing confidence evident in his ability to handle high-pressure situations during match play.
Looking ahead, the Sharks will play one more game before the Christmas break, facing the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Following the holiday, the team will travel to play against the Vancouver Canucks, aiming to regroup and improve upon their recent performances.