SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks experienced a frustrating night on Friday as a promising second-period resurgence failed to secure them a victory against the Utah Mammoth, who ultimately triumphed 6-3 at Delta Center.
The Sharks struggled significantly in the opening period, falling behind 2-0. However, they showed resilience in the second period, with Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Skinner both finding the net to equalize. The turning point came late in the period when goalie Yaroslav Askarov mishandled the puck behind his net, allowing Liam O’Brien to capitalize and score. This marked O’Brien’s first goal since 2014, swinging momentum back to the Mammoth.
In the third period, Nick Schmaltz increased Utah’s lead with a hat trick, while Michael Carcone and Clayton Keller added more insurance goals. Despite a late goal from Macklin Celebrini, which marked his first of the season, the Sharks could not overcome the deficit, making them the last winless team in the NHL at 0-3-1. They will look to turn their fortunes around when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at SAP Center before embarking on a four-game road trip.
Askarov, who made 28 saves during the match, faced challenges reminiscent of previous games this season. His performance echoed goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s struggles in the Sharks’ season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights, where similar puck-handling errors contributed to the team’s defeat.
Notably, the Sharks had two players, Nick Leddy and Dmitry Orlov, serve tripping penalties in quick succession during the first period, leading to a crucial 5-on-3 power play for the Mammoth, in which Schmaltz scored to open the scoring. The Sharks initially appeared fortunate not to be further behind after one period, as they struggled with both puck control and defensive lapses.
Looking ahead, San Jose has the opportunity to regroup against Pittsburgh, where they will aim to capture their first win of the season and restore some confidence. With a young core and the potential for growth, optimism remains that the Sharks can begin to find their footing as the season unfolds.