Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sharks survive rough patch in win over Maple Leafs
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 - 7:45pm
Follow @kkurzcsn

TORONTO – It was halfway through the second period - 9:59 left, to be exact - and the Toronto Maple Leafs were all over the San Jose Sharks.

Phil Kessel’s power play goal tied the game just seconds earlier, erasing an early 2-0 hole for his club. Toronto had already poured 15 shots on net in the second period alone, and all of the early momentum the Sharks had from their strong start was gone.

“Coach, he let us know what the night was looking like, and how bad we were in that stretch,” Joe Pavelski said of the TV timeout.

And, just like that, the tables were turned.

The Sharks registered the next 12 shots on goal, took the lead on Brad Stuart’s goal later in the frame, and recorded their sixth straight win, 4-2 at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night.

“I think maybe got a little lackadaisical at the start of that period for about 10 minutes. They really gave it to us,” said Joe Thornton, whose five-on-three goal gave the Sharks a two-goal advantage in the first period.

“The 10-minute mark it just kind of switched. We had a time out and kind of flipped it back on them. It wasn’t a very good 10 minutes, but we recovered and ended up winning.”

Todd McLellan expressed his displeasure a tad more emphatically than the captain.


“It was actually embarrassing for a while how poorly we were playing,” he said. “We had to have a little chat, and get everybody re-focued. After that, it wasn’t a Picasso by any means, but at least we got our game back.”

Stuart’s game-winner came with four minutes left in the second. The defenseman skated up the wall, directed the puck towards the front of the net, and got a fortunate redirection off of Toronto forward Jerred Smithson’s stick. Smithson was trying to keep Pavelski out of the crease.

“I think they were tired, and we had it working around pretty good, so there was a little bit of open ice,” Stuart said. “You just try to get your shots in, and I was able to get a little bit of a lucky bounce.”

That goal helped make up for Stuart’s mistake early in the second, when he let Mason Raymond blow past him for a two-on-one rush on a Toronto power play, resulting in the Maple Leafs’ first goal when Raymond wristed it through Antti Niemi.

According to McLellan, Stuart’s mistake was a reflection of his team’s play at that point.

“We were going through a phase there where everybody was playing that way,” said the head coach. “Sometimes when you make those mistakes you have somebody there to cover up, but we were non-existent for a good 11-12 minutes.”


Still, the Sharks were able to recover and capture the opening game of a four-game road trip. San Jose outshot the Maple Leafs 10-8 in a defensively responsible third, and Logan Couture’s empty-netter ensured San Jose would extend its winning streak.

The Sharks improved to 9-2-3 on the road, and still own the NHL’s best winning percentage (19-3-5, .796).

“Definitely didn’t have our A-game tonight, throughout the night,” Pavelski said. “But, guys did a good job battling. Once we got that final lead, we were able to hold on pretty well.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
YSTL: Griffin & Doolittle: A's front office sending winning message
YSTL: What's trending?
Three and Out: Branch returns, Raiders' last straw with McFadden?

Giants

Sabean: 'Nothing earth-shattering' at Winter Meetings
Vogelsong: 'The chip is firmly placed on my shoulder'
Giants officially announce Vogelsong's one-year contract
Andrew Baggarly's Giants chat transcript (12.4.13)
Read More

Athletics

Report: A's, D'backs explored Cespedes trade
From Sugar Land Skeeters to A's, Kazmir 'ready to get going'
Report: Yankees among teams interested in Anderson
Yankees, Ellsbury in agreement on whopping 7-year deal
Read More

Sharks

Kennedy excited to be back in Pittsburgh
Crosby lifts Penguins to OT win before facing Sharks
Kevin Kurz's Sharks chat transcript (12.4.13)
Sharks fourth line steps up in win
Read More

49ers

49ers ask fans for 'Red Sunday' at Candlestick
VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Jack Harbaugh
Harbaugh: Game should generate 'Honest Abe-like' stir
Kaepernick and Wilson: In their words
Read More

Raiders

Raiders injury update: McFadden hurt again
Branch: 'If my leg holds up, I can make an impact'
With Stewart and McFadden out, Taiwan Jones takes RB reps
Tyvon Branch returns to Raiders practice
Read More

Warriors

Jermaine O'Neal playing, fighting through pain
Kidd-Gilchrist breaks hand, won't play vs. Warriors next week
Anthony Davis expected to miss 4-6 weeks with broken hand
What they're saying about Raptors after epic collapse
Read More

NCAA

Mora agrees to six-year extension with UCLA
Oregon QB Mariota to return in 2014
Sarkisian to leave Washington for USC
Report: Cal QB Zach Kline to transfer
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Sabean: 'Nothing earth-shattering' at Winter Meetings
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Vogelsong: 'The chip is firmly placed on my shoulder'
(2)
Giants officially announce Vogelsong's one-year contract
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Andrew Baggarly's Giants chat transcript (12.4.13)
Normar Garciaparra joins Dodgers' new TV network

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Report: A's, D'backs explored Cespedes trade
(4)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

From Sugar Land Skeeters to A's, Kazmir 'ready to get going'
Report: Yankees among teams interested in Anderson
See more >

A's VIDEO

YSTL: Griffin & Doolittle: A's front office sending winning message
YSTL: Griffin & Doolittle: A's front office sending winning message
See more >

A's TALK

Yankees, Ellsbury in agreement on whopping 7-year deal
A's officially sign Kazmir to two-year contract
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Kennedy excited to be back in Pittsburgh
(6)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Crosby lifts Penguins to OT win before facing Sharks
Kevin Kurz's Sharks chat transcript (12.4.13)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Odd Man Rush: Depth key to road trip success
Odd Man Rush: Depth key to road trip success
See more >

Features

Sharks fourth line steps up in win
Kings earn two points with shootout win over Ducks

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Kennedy excited to be back in Pittsburgh
  • Sharks fourth line steps up in win
  • Instant Replay: Sharks open four-game trip with win in Toronto
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Jermaine O'Neal playing, fighting through pain
(2)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Kidd-Gilchrist breaks hand, won't play vs. Warriors next week
Anthony Davis expected to miss 4-6 weeks with broken hand
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Highlights: Warriors stun Raptors with monumental fourth quarter
Highlights: Warriors stun Raptors with monumental fourth quarter
See more >

Features

What they're saying about Raptors after epic collapse
Game 19 Rewind: O'Neal's speech fuels W's to improbable win

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Durant, Thunder hold off Cousins-less Kings
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings' McLemore named Rookie of the Month for November
(5)
Streaks at risk as Kings host surging Thunder
(2)
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Thomas' jumper falls short, Kings lose to Thunder
Highlights: Thomas' jumper falls short, Kings lose to Thunder
See more >

Features

Cousins, Kings fight back, but fall to Warriors at home
Cousins snubs Redick for handshake

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

49ers ask fans for 'Red Sunday' at Candlestick
(5)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Jack Harbaugh
(1)
Harbaugh: Game should generate 'Honest Abe-like' stir
(23)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Three and Out: Home field advantage, Davis' struggles vs. Seattle
Three and Out: Home field advantage, Davis' struggles vs. Seattle
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 13 Rewind: 49ers have last word in win over Rams
(25)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders injury update: McFadden hurt again
Scott Bair

More Stories

Branch: 'If my leg holds up, I can make an impact'
With Stewart and McFadden out, Taiwan Jones takes RB reps
(4)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Three and Out: Branch returns, Raiders' last straw with McFadden?
Three and Out: Branch returns, Raiders' last straw with McFadden?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 13 rewind: Raiders developing penchant for collapse
(50)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

World Cup stadium in Brazil partially collapses
ProSoccerTalk

More Stories

Earthquakes announce 2014 regular season schedule
Mexico survives nightmare, makes World Cup
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Sabean: 'Nothing earth-shattering' at Winter Meetings
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Jermaine O'Neal playing, fighting through pain
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Harbaugh: Game should generate 'Honest Abe-like' stir
(23)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders injury update: McFadden hurt again
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Kennedy excited to be back in Pittsburgh
(6)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Steinbrenner boys are basically their father all over again

TOP STORIES

  • Kennedy excited to be back in Pittsburgh
  • Kevin Kurz's Sharks chat transcript (12.4.13)
  • Sharks fourth line steps up in win

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Report: Cal QB Zach Kline to transfer
Florida St., Ohio St. move into top spots in BCS

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
YSTL: Vogelsong: 'Win as many games as possible, have another parade'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California