In San Jose, the Sharks behind, -0-2 to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, but rallied back with Erik Karlsson potting a power-play goal midway through the third period for the game-winner in a 3-2 decision to the Sharks.
“It’s disappointing,” the Avalanche’s Tyson Jost said. “We had a big opportunity there and we let it slip. It’s unacceptable in our dressing room and we know it. It’s very unacceptable, especially with the standings and how many games (five) are left.”
Josef Korenar made 30 saves to get the win.
“It’s a measuring stick when you play teams like this or you play teams like Las Vegas next Wednesday,” Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said. “It shows you where your game needs to be and it brings out the best in you. Even though our success against Colorado and Vegas hasn’t been great in the standings, I think that it’s gotten better as the season has gone on. You know you have to bring your best on nights like this to give yourself a chance.”
Jost and Andre Burakovsky gave the Avs the 2-0 lead.
“It’s an important game for us,” Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said. “We had a chance to stay within two (points) of Vegas and we’ve got a number of games coming up that we feel like we have a good chance to win. (We have) another crack at Vegas (on Monday) and now we slip back.
“Whenever you lose, it’s always a little frustrating and disappointing, especially when you know you could’ve been just a little bit better and probably win a hockey game.”
Tomas Hertl struck for two goals; his first goal came with 13 seconds fresh in the middle frame.
“A big goal, and that’s exactly what we fed off,” Boughner said. “Going into (intermission) down 2-0 is a different situation against that team than a one-goal lead. I was proud of the way we responded in the third period, and we played a pretty solid game up until that point. I thought we did a better job of managing the puck at the right time.”
Philipp Grubauer made 30 saves in the loss.
“Showing a sign of respect to a guy who just broke an unbelievable record,” Bednar said. “That accomplishment is something that I still can’t wrap my head around, how many games he’s played and how many in a row (907), and most of them in a Sharks jersey. It’s something that I just don’t see happening again. We all recognize that that’s a big moment and something that’s pretty special.
“By all accounts, Patrick Marleau is an amazing human being, an amazing teammate, and I think they just wanted to recognize him and congratulate him on what he’s been able to do.”
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