For the Sharks, being ahead of the shot counter after one period has begun to be a common occurrence. Unfortunately, the team has failed to live up to their recent hot starts.
When San Jose took an early lead and kept their collective foot on the gas for the first period, there was reason for excitement.
One minute into the game, Joonas Donskoi fed Joakim Ryan at the point. The defenseman sent a wrister spinning on net that beat Al Montoya for Ryan’s first NHL goal.
Just minutes later, Darnell Nurse backhanded the puck behind the net and off the official’s skate to a waiting Joe Pavelski who put it home for a 2-0 lead.