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In the San Jose Sharks home opener against the Anaheim Ducks, both teams came out strong with fast legs and determination. Despite it being the beginning of the season, it was evident that both teams knew winning a game against a division rival was of the utmost importance. During the first period, both teams spent decent time in their respective offensive zones, but there were no goals. The Sharks outshot the Ducks 13 to 9, but given the eye test, the Ducks appeared to force new Sharks goaltender Martin Jones to make more spectacular saves than the Sharks had tested Frederik Andersen. The Ducks were clearly making more of their shots. There was one penalty during the period. Joe Pavelski took a boarding penalty against Rickard Rakell for boarding. The power play was solid for the Ducks, but the Sharks had a strong penalty kill.
The first period was more akin to watching the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final in the sense that both teams played with great intensity but showed great sportsmanship toward each other. Although both had a lot on the line, the two teams never got nasty, to my disappointment. By the second period of the Ducks at Sharks, it was much more like their match-ups of old. As fans know, to say these two teams do not like each other is a bit of an understatement. These teams also know how to get under each other’s skin, which is exactly what they did. About seven minutes in, there were a couple of scrums but no fights. Things were definitely starting to get intense. At one point, Joe Thornton jousted with Ryan Getzlaf in the face-off circle. As the players started to dig into each other, the shot counter began to climb. By the period’s end, the Ducks narrowly outshot the Sharks 15 to 14, but it was the Sharks who had the lone goal. With 29 seconds left in the period, Patrick Marleau scored on a wrister with assists from Logan Couture and newcomer Joel Ward.
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The Ducks looked strong starting the third period, but the Sharks battled back. Andersen had two huge saves, including one against Joonas Donskoi, about 11 minutes into the period. The Sharks were playing like a team trying to extend a lead rather than protecting one, and they had very solid possession for about five minutes after those big saves by Andersen. Their hard work paid off because Marleau scored on a wrap-around that went five-hole for his second of the night. Ward got the assist, the second of the night and as a Shark, as he had passed the puck to Marleau as he got off the ice.
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The Ducks battled back and had a solid five minutes keeping the Sharks at bay after the goal. With a little over three minutes left in the period, Barclay Goodrow drew a hooking penalty against Mike Santorelli. The Ducks had an amazing penalty kill because despite the fact that the Sharks had possession for the full two minutes of the penalty, they did not relent to give the Sharks a third goal. The Ducks gained possession just at the end of the penalty and Andersen headed for the bench to give his team the extra attacker. However, it looked like the Ducks were tired and were not able to capitalize. Unlike last season where they often played their best hockey in the third period and often could rally for a comeback, usually a win, the Ducks fizzled. They were outshot 3 to 17. Newly-acquired Jones took his first home win and first shutout for the Sharks.
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On a side note, the tribute video to George Gund III to commemorate the Sharks’s 25th anniversary was extremely touching. For those who missed it, it may pop up on the Sharks website or YouTube. It is a must see.