Familiar script plays out for Sharks in blowout loss to McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks wanted to finish off its home schedule on a positive note Saturday and see Erik Karlsson score two points to etch his name alongside some of the NHL’s all-time greatest offensive defensemen.
Neither happened, as the Sharks fell behind by three on goals by Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Derek Ryan and never recovered in a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in San Jose’s final game of the season at SAP Center.
McDavid’s goal was his NHL-best 63rd of the season and also gave him a league-leading 150 points, as he became the first player to reach that mark since Mario Lemieux had 161 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.
The goals by McDavid and Ryan came off Sharks turnovers, something that has plagued them all season, particularly at home.
Logan Couture and Thomas Bordeleau couldn’t connect on a pass and turned the puck over as the Sharks tried to exit the zone. Shortly after, after a scramble in front of the Sharks’ net, McDavid was left alone and tapped a loose puck past goalie James Reimer.
On Ryan’s goal, Karlsson attempted a backhand pass from the half-wall to Couture at the blue line was picked off by Ryan, who raced into the Sharks’ zone on an odd-man rush, then worked a give-and-go with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a 4-1 Edmonton lead.
Tomas Hertl scored and Reimer finished with 30 saves as the Sharks completed their season at home with an 8-22-11 record, matching the franchise mark for the fewest wins on home ice in a full season.
The Sharks went 8-33-1 in 1992-93 in the second and final season at the Cow Palace in Daly City before they moved into their present home the following Fall.
Karlsson entered Saturday with 98 points after he collected two points in the Sharks’ 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. A defenseman has reached 100 points in a season 15 times in league history, but the only ones to do it are Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five times), Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch, and Denis Potvin, who each did it once.
Leetch was the last defenseman to reach the century mark in points, as he had 102 points in 1991-92 for the New York Rangers.