SAN JOSE – the Minnesota Wild came into San Jose on Thursday looking to extend their winning streak to seven games, instead, they left with a 5-2 loss to the sharks on their record.
Wild defenseman Jake Middleton (5) looks for the rebound as it flies towards Alexander Barabanov (94) and Jared Spurgeon (46) – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson h had a goal and four points in the win.
“It’s really amazing to watch him when he’s on his game,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “He’s special. It’s no mystery why he’s won two Norris Trophies, and I can see more Norris Trophies coming his way.”
James Reimer made 24 saves in the San Jose win.
“There was just a lot to like about our game,” Quinn said. “We’ve talked throughout the first 34 games that we’ve had games like this, we’ve had stretches like this. It’s the consistency that we’ve got to try to bottle. And the thing I really liked tonight was, you know, we managed the puck extremely well. We managed the lead really well.”
The Sharks improved to 11-18-6.
“[San Jose] played hard,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said. “They played with a lot of energy. They kept coming at us. We didn’t have the sustained offensive zone push that we’ve had as of late. They put a lot of pressure on us. Give them a lot of credit.”
Karlsson scored in the first period to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead.
Joel Eriksson Ek replied for the Wild to tie, 1-1.
Noah Gregor made it 2-1 for the Sharks headed to the second period.
Mats Zuccarello also scored for Minnesota, his second period goal came after the Sharks had taken a 4-1 lead in the middle frame.
In the second period, the Wild’s Mason Shaw was whistled for a knee-on-knee call; he received a five-minute major and game misconduct.
“That’s my last intent is to take someone’s knee out,” Shaw said. “I feel bad because that put our team in a very bad spot, and ultimately it was a difference in the game, so I’m disappointed in myself.”
San Jose’s Evgeny Svechnikov was the recipient of the knee.
“It’s right into the knee,” Karlsson said. “It’s a dangerous play, and luckily ‘Svech’ was able to come back. I don’t really know what the extent of the injury is. Hopefully he’ll be fine, but stuff like that is not fun to see.”
Timo Meier scored 33 seconds into the major, for a 3-1 advantage to San Jose.
San Jose’s Oskar Lindblom scored as the major was ending for a 4-1 lead.
Minnesota dropped to 19-12-2.
Kevin Leblanc scored off the power play, into an empty net, at 19:48 of the third period for the 5-2 final.
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Filip Gustavsson made 20 saves
Photo Credit – Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson swipes the puck away from Kevin Labanc (62) as Jonas Brodin (25) provides defensive support – Photo by Jack Lima
Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson stops a wrap-around shot attempt by Steven Lorentz (16) as defenseman Jake Middleton (5) tries to block the attempt – Photo by Jack Lima
Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov fires a pass up ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) checks Kevin Labanc (62) – Photo by Jack Lima
Wild captain Jared Spurgeon (46) cross-checks Logan Couture (39) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks’ goalie James Reimer catches the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Oskar Lindblom (Right) celebrates his goal with Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson (65) – Photo by Jack Lima
Oskar Lindblom (23) scores a goal past goalie Filip Gustavsson to give the Sharks 4-1 second period lead – Photo by Jack Lima
Noah Gregor (73) backhands a shot past Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead in the first period – Photo by Jack Lima
Joel Eriksson Ek (14) ties the score at 1-1 with a goal between the legs of Sharks goalie James Reimer – Photo by Jack Lima
Jaycob Megna (24) goes after Matt Dumba (Left) after a hard hit on Kevin Labanc (62) as Matt Boldy (12) and Nick Bonino (13) also tangle – Photo by Jack Lima
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