PHNs Best Shots of the game: Sharks down Senators 5-1

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Kaapo Kahkonen made 37 saves for the San Jose Sharks in a 5-1 win against the Ottawa Senators at SAP Center on Monday.

“Just really proud of our guys,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “That was a great bounce-back win. I thought we got better and better as the game went on.”

Five players scored for the Sharks (7-11-3), who pulled away with three goals in the second period. Luke Kunin had three assists.

Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen makes a glove save in front of Parker Kelly (45) – Photo by Jack Lima

Tim Stutzle scored for the Senators (6-11-1), who have lost three of their past four games. Anton Forsberg made 22 saves in relief of Cam Talbot, who allowed three goals on seven shots.

“We played really good in the first period, and then we needed to expect that they were going to push back,” Ottawa defenseman Nick Holden said. “All teams are all going to push back on you, so you need to be able to play inside of that as well and weather it a little bit and then get back on them.”

Noah Gregor gave San Jose a 1-0 lead at 6:22 of the first period on its first shot of the game, a wrister from the edge of the left face-off circle.

“I have a little weight off my back,” Gregor said. “Sort of a frustrating start for me, so it was really nice to see that one go in.”

Senators goalie Anton Fosberg makes a save on a shot by Alexander Barabanov – Photo by Jack Lima

Stutzle tied it 1-1 at 13:14 after a pass from behind the net by Brady Tkachuk.

“I think his confidence early on, even about a week and a half ago, was not where it needed to be,” Quinn said. “And he’s built his confidence up. He’s worked hard. He’s done a really good job.”

Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen get a snow shower from Mark Kastelic (47) as he makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima

Timo Meier put the Sharks back in front 2-1 at 1:18 of the second period when his shot from a sharp angle got past Talbot.

“Anytime [the other team] scores a goal, or at the end of a period, I think it’s important for the next shift that you play the way we want to play,” Senators forward Claude Giroux said. “We play in our structure, and we have a good game plan. We just have to execute out there.”

Matt Nieto made it 3-1 at 4:53 when he redirected a shot by Matt Benning.

Tomas Hertl gave San Jose a 4-1 lead at 15:56 when he tipped Logan Couture‘s shot through traffic.

The Sharks outshot the Senators 21-8 in the second.

Couture scored an empty-net goal with 59 seconds left in the third period for the 5-1 final.

“There is lots of game left. There’s no time to feel sorry for yourself,” Senators coach D.J. Smith said. “You’ve got to pick it up. We tried, but it was just not our night.”

Kahkonen made 17 saves in the third.

Photo credits: Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com