Sharks Struggle to Gain Control in Tough Loss to Senators

In a back-and-forth game, the San Jose Sharks took a brutal 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (Jan. 13) afternoon, allowing the winning goal with just four seconds remaining in the third period. They deserve credit for their resilience and keeping the game close despite being outplayed for most of the contest. However, their shortcomings forced them to play a bend-not-break strategy that didn’t last for a full 60 minutes. While there were a few positives throughout the course of the game, the Sharks ultimately faced too many difficulties to overcome and suffered another loss reflective of the challenges they’ve had all season.

Sharks’ Puck Control Was an Issue All Game

Throughout the season, the Sharks have failed to control the pace of the play, especially in losses but even in wins at times. The matchup with Ottawa was no different.

The Sharks allowed 41 shots while registering just 18 of their own. The Senators dominated the puck for long stretches, creating multiple high-pressure scoring chances. As has become all too common for the Sharks this season, their goaltender — in this case, Mackenzie Blackwood — was forced to fight off the opponent all night. He did make a number of tough saves to keep the Sharks in position for a win. But at certain points, the pressure became too much, and it’s unfair of Blackwood — who faces the most high-danger scoring chances of any goalie in the NHL — to be expected to make the tough saves every time.

A hockey team conceding more than double the number of shots they generate isn’t a sustainable way to win hockey games. The Sharks capitalized on the few chances they had but allowed the Senators to get far too many of their own.

All Four Lines Step Up at Different Times

While the Sharks didn’t create a lot of offense, they took advantage of their opportunities when they had them, and all four forward lines deserve credit for this. Each line registered at least one point, and each was primarily responsible for at least one goal.

Related: Duclair, Hoffman and Granlund Essential to Sharks’ Turnaround

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The contributions were spread out throughout the game. In the first period, the Sharks’ third line did good work on the forecheck at the end of a shift to generate a goal for second-liner Anthony Duclair. Then, in the second, Duclair’s line made smart plays on both ends of the ice to create a rush that…