URGENT UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks faced a crushing defeat against the Seattle Kraken, losing 4-2 during their final home game of the year on December 23, 2023. With a sold-out crowd of 17,435 at the SAP Center, the Sharks squandered a 2-1 lead early in the third period, allowing two quick goals that sealed their fate.
Just 1:55 into the third, defenseman Ryker Evans fired a shot from the blue line that slipped past a screened Yaroslav Askarov, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum swung entirely to the Kraken when Ryan Lindgren netted his first goal of the season, giving Seattle a 3-2 lead with 15:33 left in the game.
The Sharks, who had a chance to capitalize on a struggling Kraken team with only one win in their last eleven games, missed an opportunity to gain crucial points in the Pacific Division. This loss marks their third in six games, leaving them with a 1-2-0 record in the recent homestand.
Earlier in the game, the Sharks allowed the first goal at 6:52 of the second period when Eeli Tolvanen found the net after capitalizing on a defensive miscue. The Sharks responded with a power-play goal from Adam Gaudette, tying the game at 1-1 at the 11:22 mark of the second period. Collin Graf and Igor Chernyshov were pivotal in this play, assisting Gaudette’s goal, which was his eighth of the season.
Askarov faced a barrage of shots, making 28 saves throughout the game, including critical stops in the first period under heavy pressure. However, the Sharks could not find the equalizer in the final minutes, as frustration mounted among players and fans alike.
The Sharks’ last game before the Christmas break is set for Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, followed by their first post-holiday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks next Saturday. Fans are left wondering if the Sharks can regroup and regain their footing in the competitive Pacific Division.
This disappointing performance now serves as a wake-up call for the Sharks as they head into a crucial stretch of the season. Will they bounce back, or will this loss haunt them as they move forward? Stay tuned for updates.
