UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, concluding a lackluster three-game homestand at the SAP Center in San Jose. The defeat, witnessed by a sold-out crowd of 17,435, marks a missed opportunity against a struggling Kraken team that had only one victory in their last eleven games.
In a shocking turn of events, the Sharks entered the third period with a 2-1 lead but quickly faltered. Just 1:55 into the final frame, a shot by Ryker Evans from the blue line slipped past a screened Yaroslav Askarov, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum shifted dramatically when Ryan Lindgren scored his first goal of the season, propelling the Kraken ahead with a shot that beat Askarov’s blocker with 15:33 remaining.
The Sharks struggled to regain control and failed to equalize, ultimately ending their homestand with a 1-2-0 record. The loss leaves the Sharks in a precarious position as they prepare for their next matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights on December 26.
The game started on a sour note for the Sharks when the Kraken took a 1-0 lead at the 6:52 mark of the second period. Eeli Tolvanen capitalized on a loose puck, firing it past Askarov. However, the Sharks rallied, tying the game at 1-1 when Adam Gaudette scored his eighth goal of the season during a power play at 11:22 in the second period, with assists from Macklin Celebrini and Igor Chernyshov.
Askarov faced a barrage of shots throughout the match, finishing with 28 saves. The Sharks, who had shown dominance for stretches, could not convert their opportunities, leading to frustration among players and fans alike.
“We had chances to win but let it slip away,” said Gaudette post-game. “We need to regroup and come back stronger.”
As the Sharks look ahead, the urgency to recover is palpable, with their next game set for Tuesday against the Golden Knights, followed by a road game against the Vancouver Canucks on December 30. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Sharks can turn things around after this disappointing finish.
