NHL Game Recap - San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jets 2/14/2024

NHL Game Recap – San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jets 2/14/2024

Recap of tonight’s “West Side Story” game of the Sharks versus the Jets

Tonight, the San Jose Sharks finally came back from the All-Star break and took on the Winnipeg Jets. The Sharks, hoping to come into the game well-rested after having 13 days off, entered the game without their captain, Logan Couture, and assistant, Tomas Hertl. They did have one key element in the came as Mario Ferraro came back from a 13 game absence to lead the troops on the back end.

The Sharks were hoping to come out of the gate strong, considering it was two weeks since their last game, and they did. Outshooting the Jets 4-0 in the first four minutes of the game. After that, it all went downhill. The Sharks reverted back to their old ways of not shooting, skating, or pressuring. The game looked like it was being played at the old Cherry Hill Arena in New Jersey. For those who don’t know this, the rink was not even, and one team had to play uphill for two periods. The Sharks recorded a grand total of zero shots for the next 20 minutes. The Jets, on the other hand, left the first period ahead 1-0 on a goal from Morgan Barron on a tip-in off the front of his jersey. The Jets outshot the Sharks 15-4 in the first.

The second didn’t get much better as it took the Sharks five minutes to get their next shot on goal, and even that was a bank off of a clear. Kappo Kahkonen kept the Sharks in the game with three point-blank saves on Nino Niederreiter in front to keep the game 1-0. The biggest save of the night actually came from Mark Scheifele as he blocked a sure goal from Anthony Duclair with his knee on the goalline and then swatted it out of the crease to keep the game 1-0 as the team went to the dressing room. Jets outshot the Sharks 16-8 and 31-12 for the game.

In the third period, the teams traded chances, but nothing significant. It appears that Kappo Kahkonen was hurt at the end of the game. The Sharks have not given any update on his condition at this time. Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 18 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season and keep the Jets one point behind Colorado and three behind Dallas for the lead in the Central Division.

The Sharks continue their road trip in Calgary tomorrow night with Mackenzie Blackwood in net for the Sharks.

Tonight’s three stars