Karlsson, who played the previous five seasons with the Sharks, was playing his first game in San Jose since he was acquired by Pittsburgh on Aug. 6. He had 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) for the Sharks last season, when he won the Norris Trophy for the third time (also 2012, 2015), and totaled 243 points (52 goals, 191 assists) over five seasons in San Jose.
Bryan Rust (right) moves the puck around Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlassic (44) – Photo by Jack Lima
Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Reilly Smith each scored twice, and Bryan Rust had a goal and three assists for the Penguins (4-6-0), who had lost two straight. Tristan Jarry made 24 saves.
Anthony Duclair and Jacob MacDonald scored, and Tomas Hertl had two assists for the Sharks (0-10-1), who are off to the second-worst start in NHL history.
Magnus Chrona made 13 saves in his NHL debut. Chrona entered the game in the second period in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, who gave up six goals on 18 shots.
Sharks Mario Ferraro (38) and Jacob MacDonald (9) attempt to move the puck away from Noel Acciari (55) – Photo by Jack Lima
Smith made it 1-0 at 1:30 of the first period after Karlsson set him up with a cross-ice pass on the power play and the forward scored on a shot through traffic.
Smith scored his second to make it 2-0 at 12:55 with a wrist shot.
Guetzel made it 3-0 at 3:21 of the second period before Vinnie Hinostroza made it 4-0 at 4:26.
Duclair put San Jose on the board to make it 4-1 at 8:34 with a slap shot on the power play.
Sharks Goalie Magnus Chrona makes a kick save on a shot from Noel Acciari (55) as Kyle Burroughs slides to defend – Photo by Jack Lima
Malkin increased Pittsburgh’s lead to 5-1 at 9:12 before Kris Letang made it 6-1 at 9:27
Matt Nieto made it 7-1 at 11:53 when he scored on a breakaway. The former Shark signed a two-year contract with the Penguins as a free agent on July 1.
Rust made it 8-1 49 seconds into the third period after Guentzel set him up for a backhanded shot.
MacDonald made it 8-2 at 9:20 when he scored on the power play.
Malkin’s second goal of the evening made it 9-2 at 11:02 before Guentzel scored for the 10-2 final at 12:10.
Sharks Goalie Magnus Chrona made his NHL debut when he relieved Mackenzie Blackwood in the second period – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood covers the puck in front of Rickard Rakell (67) and Jan Rutta (84) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Nico Sturm takes a shot on goal during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Anthony Duclair (10) deeks around Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea (5) – Photo by Jack Lima
Radium Zohorna (63) and Marc-Edouard Vlassic (44) fight for the puck along the boards – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins Evgeni Malkin scored two goals on the night – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (73) attempts to block a shot by Sharks forward Filip Zadina (18) – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson earned two assists in his return to San Jose – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby earned an assist in his 1,200th NHL game. – Photo by Jack Lima
Noel Acciari (right) checks Kyle Burroughs (4) from behind – Photo by Jack Lima
Matt Nieto (83) scores a second period goal past Sharks goalie Magnus Chrona – Photo by Jack Lima
Jake Guentzel (59) and Jan Rutta (84) battle for puck possession behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima
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