SAN JOSE — The Sharks knew they were going to face a hungry Columbus team at SAP Center on Thursday, particularly after the Blue Jackets were beaten on home ice by the struggling Detroit Red Wings earlier this week.
But the Sharks — even though they were coming off their own forgettable loss — didn’t match the Blue Jackets’ desperation level, or their work ethic, until it was too late.
That’s a bit concerning.
One would have figured the Sharks would have come out harder than they did to start the first period, particularly after their sluggish start against the New York Rangers on Tuesday to begin the homestand.