Sharks eliminated from playoff contention with OT loss to Blue Jackets

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Johnny Gaudreau scored 4:17 into overtime for his fifth point of the game, and the Columbus Blue Jackets eliminated the San Jose Sharks from playoff contention with a 6-5 win at SAP Center on Tuesday.

Gaudreau won it on 2-on-0 with Patrik Laine, trading passes until Gaudreau beat Kaapo Kahkonen from the bottom of the right circle.

Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen (36) looks to make a glove save as Boone Jenner (38) applies pressure as Matt Benning (5) and Mario Ferraro (38) defend – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks forward Nikolai Knyzhov tied the game 5-5 at 11:20 of the third period with his first goal of the season.

Boone Jenner scored twice for the Blue Jackets (21-38-7), who had lost four straight. Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves in his first game since Jan. 17.

William Eklund scored his first NHL goal, and Logan Couture had a goal and two assists for the Sharks (19-36-13), who have lost nine of 10 (1-7-2). Kahkonen made 41 saves.

Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen (36) comes out of his crease to stop a breakaway attempt by Liam Foudy (19) as Nikolai Knyzhov (71) defends – Photo by Jack Lima

Alexander Barabanov put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 8:00 of the first period. The Sharks were on the power play and Tarasov was still recovering from blocking Logan Couture’s shot when Barabanov backhanded in the rebound.

Gaudreau tied it 1-1 at 12:27 on the rebound of a shot from Laine.

Kent Johnson put Columbus ahead 2-1 at 1:54 of the second period with a power-play goal before Jenner made it 3-1 at 5:28 by scoring 5-hole.

Eklund, playing his 15th NHL game, cut it to 3-2 at 10:24 with a backhand from one knee that eluded Tarasov’s outstretched glove. Derrick Pouliot had the primary assist on the goal for his first point for the Sharks since being recalled from San Jose of the American Hockey League on March 7.

Jenner’s second goal made it 4-2 at 17:17 when Gaudreau set him up for a shot from the high slot.

Couture made it 4-3 at 19:59 with a shot from the left point through traffic.

Liam Foudy pushed the lead to 5-3 at 2:20 of the third period with a shot through traffic that went bar down.

Sharks defenseman Nikolia Knyzhov fires the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima

Kevin Labanc brought San Jose within 5-4 at 5:53 from the right circle. Fabian Zetterlund had an assist, his first point with the Sharks since being acquired from the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26 as part of a trade for forward Timo Meier.