UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the San Jose Sharks squandered a 2-1 lead, conceding three goals in the final period to lose 4-2 against the struggling Seattle Kraken at SAP Center on December 23, 2023. This defeat marks a bitter end to their three-game homestand, with just one win to show for their efforts.
Before a sold-out crowd of 17,435 fans, the Sharks had hoped to capitalize on their lead early in the third period. However, just 1:55 into the final frame, a shot from Ryker Evans found its way past a screened Yaroslav Askarov, leveling the score at 2-2.
Things took a turn for the worse for San Jose as Ryan Lindgren netted his first goal of the season, putting the Kraken ahead 3-2 with 15:33 remaining in the game. The Sharks were unable to rally back, missing a critical opportunity to secure two points against a team that had recorded only one victory in their last eleven outings and was sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Division.
Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette scored for the Sharks, but the team’s defensive lapses proved costly. Askarov finished the night with 28 saves, yet the Sharks have now lost three of their last six games. Their record for the homestand stands at 1-2-0.
The Sharks struggled to find their footing early, allowing the game’s first goal at the 6:52 mark of the second period. In a misplay, Macklin Celebrini inadvertently helped Eeli Tolvanen score, putting the Kraken up 1-0. Despite dominating much of the second period, the Sharks managed to tie the game 1-1 with Gaudette’s power-play goal at 11:22.
“We had the chances, we just didn’t capitalize when it mattered,” said Sharks coach.
Looking ahead, the Sharks will face the Vegas Golden Knights on the road for their last game before the Christmas break on December 26. They will return to action against the Vancouver Canucks next Saturday, with hopes of turning their fortunes around.
As the season approaches the halfway mark, the Sharks must regroup quickly to stay competitive in the Pacific Division. Fans remain hopeful for a turnaround as the team looks to regain its momentum in the upcoming games.
