Back in San Jose, Sharks return to winning form

After a disappointing 1-3 road trip against the stout Central Division, the Sharks made a triumphant return to SAP Center Tuesday defeating the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2.

San Jose (34-21-9) provided an offensive showcase in the second period, seizing control of the game with four unanswered goals.

Of the slow start and explosive second, Logan Couture said:

“We let Connor (McDavid) kind of dictate the game. … He was making some world-class plays out there. … In the second and third (period) we were able to force that line to play some defense.”

McDavid opened the scoring for the Oilers (27-32-4) just 3:33 into the game. The reigning Hart Trophy winner notched his team-leading 28th goal burning Justin Braun before shooting a quick wrister past the right arm of San Jose goalie Martin Jones.

After being outshot 12-7 in the first period, the Sharks dominated the aggression stealing a 17-4 advantage.

Head coach Pete DeBoer said:

“We just talked between the first and second about upping our level a little bit. I thought once we  started to do that we started to take some control.”

San Jose evened the score 1-1 just 1:20 into the second period, as newly acquired Evander Kane sent a shot into the slot that connected with Joe Pavelski‘s stick and past the left pad of Oilers’ net-minder Cam Talbot.

Making his San Jose debut, Kane made his presence known in the first period as the forward had two shots on goal in just over five minutes of play. Kane would record two assists on the night as well.

The 26-year-old former-Sabre winger said:

“I’ve kind of came from not playing so much meaningful hockey to playing some meaningful hockey. Obviously you get a little more amped up. (I) just wanted to change the game in any way I can.”

The Sharks took the lead with 7:02 into the second when Pavelski dropped the puck back for Braun at the point who sent a one-timer above the left shoulder of Talbot.

Timo Meier tacked onto San Jose’s lead with 3:45 left in the second period as he tried to backhand a pass to Pavelski in the slot but Meier’s pass would be deflected off the skate of Andrej Sekera.

Up Next

San Jose will host the Blackhawks (27-28-8) on Thursday, as they look to avenge a 3-1 loss they suffered in Chicago last Friday.

Notes

The Sharks acquired forward Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, as they are still without forwards Joe Thornton and Joel Ward. Kane was Buffalo’s second-highest scorer and was third in points this season.