The San Jose Sharks are off to an alarmingly poor start to the season, and frustrations are beginning to show.
Just when we thought the Sharks might have shaken off their season-opening woes with a three-game win streak after losing their first four matchups, San Jose tripped on its way out of the Pacific Division basement with two consecutive losses to the Buffalo Sabres.
The second one, a 4-3 loss in overtime, stung a little more because of a critical mistake that ultimately did them in.
With less that two minutes to go in OT, Sharks forwards Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc took a little too long getting off the ice after a particularly long shift — a sloppy line change that Sabres forward Jack Eichel and Co. quickly capitalized on, leaving goalie Martin Jones without much of a chance at making the save.
Sharks captain Logan Couture, who praised his club’s rallying effort in the third period after losing a two-goal lead in the second, called the overtime error “an inexcusable change.”
Couture did not mention any names when speaking with the media.
“Two guys that stayed out too long, looking for offence,” he said. “It’s a selfish play and that doesn’t need to be part of this team so we’ll figure that out.”
The Sharks have a day to turn things around and learn from the mistake ahead of their meeting with the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night.
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