With games against powerhouse teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche to start the new year, it was the Arizona Coyotes who handed the San Jose Sharks their first loss of 2019.
In the first period, the Sharks looked like a team on the second half of a back-to-back. The squad surrendered 17 shots to the Coyotes in all situations. Not a good way to start a game.
On those 17 shots came two goals by the desert dogs, the first coming from Lawson Crouse. The second goal for the Coyotes came a few minutes later, when Richard Panik converted on his short-handed breakaway chance.