Sharks erupt in third period for 8-5 win

The starts to games for the San Jose Sharks haven’t been all that great recently. However, with their latest comeback win, the Sharks became the first team in NHL history to win three consecutive games in regulation after trailing going into the third period. Today’s version was especially sweet; after a horrid first two periods, the Sharks surged to score six goals in the third period.

After falling behind 4-2 going into the third period, Dany Heatley pulled the Sharks back within one with a power play goal. It was Heatley’s second tally of the game. This is exactly why Heatley was added: to score big goals when the team needed it. He ignited the team, and then Joe Pavelski lead the charge from there.

Poor play resulted in Pavelski being demoted a line and benched for a long stretch during the second period. Coach Todd McLellan’s subtle message evidently pushed the right button as he carried the Sharks in the third period. He scored two goals and two assists in the period.

The eventual game-winner was a one-on-one rush against USA Olympic teammate Ryan Suter. Pavelski pulled the spin-o-rama and was able to beat Predators goalie Dan Ellis on the backhand for one of the highlight goals of the season.

Pavelski set up Manny Malhotra’s tying goal in the third period just 1:36 after Heatley’s goal. Malhotra returned the favor when he sealed the boards creating a turnover that landed straight on Pavelski’s stick. Pavelski then roofed the puck past Ellis to give the Sharks their first lead of the game 5-4.

Just two minutes after that when all the momentum seemed to be in the Shark’s favor, Nashville tied it up again thanks to J.P. Dumont’s second goal of the game.

Then came Pavelski’s spin-o-rama goal which prompted Predators coach Barry Trotz to pull Ellis for Pekka Rinne.

Patrick Marleau provided the insurance marker when he scored his 40th goal of the season on a 2-on-1 rush. It’s Marleau’s first career 40-goal season.

Jay Leach added an empty netter in the final minute of play. The goal was Leach’s first career NHL goal. If there was a perfect way to top off this unexplainable period, it would be with a Leach goal and sure enough it happened. Oddly enough he scored it from his own end actually aiming for the empty net apparently.

13 Sharks figured into the scoring, including two assists from Scott Nichol who returned to the lineup to face his former team after the vicious hit-from-behind he received last week.

The Predators outplayed the Sharks dramatically the first two periods. At one point in the first period, the shot total was 14-0 in favor of Nashville. By the end of the game the discrepancy was widened to 45-25. They also lost the face-off battle, something that rarely happens.

With those statistics one wouldn’t expect the Sharks to come out on top and they probably don’t want to get into the habit of making comebacks like the last three games. Tonight’s game was the ninth straight game the Sharks surrendered the first goal of the game.

Not to put the damper blanket on a tremendous third period, but everything that this team will be judged on comes in the playoffs.

If they play like they did in the first two periods of tonight’s game they won’t stand a chance against anyone. If they play like they did in the third throughout the playoffs, maybe there’s a chance of lifting that dark playoff veil that haunts this franchise.

Next Game

The Sharks will conclude their 5-game homestand on Saturday when the Florida Panthers come to town. Then its off to Anaheim on Sunday for the start of a 6-game road trip.