UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks suffered a heart-wrenching 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at SAP Center, marking a dismal end to their three-game homestand. The Sharks, who led 2-1 entering the third period, allowed two quick goals in just 2:30, crippling their chances to secure crucial points.
The turning point came 1:55 into the final frame when Ryker Evans launched a long shot that fluttered past a screened Yaroslav Askarov, leveling the score at 2-2. Just over a minute later, Ryan Lindgren put the Kraken ahead with his first goal of the season, taking a shot from the boards that slipped past Askarov’s blocker.
This defeat stings particularly for the Sharks, who dropped to 1-2-0 during the homestand and face an uphill battle as they prepare to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in their final game before the Christmas break. The Sharks had a golden opportunity against a Kraken team that came into the game with only one win in their last eleven outings.
Prior to the meltdown, Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette provided some fireworks for the Sharks. Gaudette tied the game at 1-1 with a power play goal at the 11:22 mark of the second period, his eighth of the season, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Igor Chernyshov.
The Sharks struggled to recover after the Kraken’s swift scoring. Despite dominating portions of the game, they couldn’t regain their footing. Askarov, who made 28 saves throughout the match, was under constant pressure, particularly in the first period when he faced 17 shots.
As the Sharks prepare for their next matchup against the Golden Knights, the urgency to regroup is palpable. They’ll need to address their defensive lapses and find consistency to avoid further setbacks in the Pacific Division standings. Fans are left hoping for a turnaround in performance as the team heads into a challenging stretch of games.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover the Sharks’ journey through this critical season.
