In San Jose, the Tampa Bay Lighting’s Nikita Kucherov hit for the game-winner with 57 seconds left in the third period for a 4-3 win over the Sharks.
Steven Samkos (91) cross-checks Nico Surm (7) to clear space in front of the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves in the Tampa win.
“I take this as a success,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s been a tough start with all these road games we’ve played, so let’s go home and see if you can string a few [wins] together.”
Erik Karlsson hit for a double for San Jose.
“We weren’t afraid of losing today,” Karlsson said. “We did, and it hurts. And we’re disappointed. I think one of the problems here lately has been that we’ve been a little bit too afraid to make mistakes, and a little bit too afraid to try and win games. And in order to win games in this league, you’re gonna have to take some risks. Over time, we’re going to [have to] learn when those risks are appropriate to take and when they’re not.”
Tampa took a 1-0 lead in the first period off a goal from Victor Hedman.
Tomas Hertl (48) takes a shot on goal in front of defenseman Victor Hedman (77) – Photo by Jack Lima
Karlsson scored his first to tie the game, 1-1, just after the Hedman goal.
Ross Colton restored lead at 2-1 for Tampa.
Nico Sturm tied the game, again, 2-2.
“I think we’re going in the right direction, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to win hockey games,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “And, unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet.”
Tomas Hertl
With less than two minutes remaining in the middle frame, Alex Killorn gave Tampa a 3-2 lead.
“When you come to the West Coast, you always want to win and get more points than games played, and we did a good job with that,” Killorn said.
Karlsson tied the game, 3-3, early in the third period.
James Reimer made 22 saves in the San Jose loss.
Sharks goalie James Reimer (47) blocks a shot as defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) tries to clear the rebound away from Brayden Point (21) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna (24) reaches for a loose puck into front of Brayden Point (21) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson looks to move the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks coach Davis Quinn discusses strategy with his team during a 3rd period timeout – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks Captain Logan Couture during pregame warm-ups – Photo by Jack Lima
Nikita Kucherov (86) scores the game winning goal past Sharks goalie James Reimer in the final minute of play – Photo by Jack Lima
Nicholas Paul (20) looks for the puck as Jaycob Megna (24) moves in – Photo by Jack Lima
Matt Benning (5) and Ross Colton (Right) chase the puck in the corner – Photo by Jack Lima
Logan Couture getting in position in front of the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) swats the puck away from Alexander Barabanov (94) – Photo by Jack Lima
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) cools off during a break in 2nd period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates his 3rd period goal with teammates – Photo by Jack Lima
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