SAN JOSE -- It's probably an exaggeration to say it was a game for the ages but it certainly was the game of the season for the Sharks.
They come back down 2-0 to beat the mighty Penguins, 5-3. This is a team that has the best record in the East, the best power play and the second best penalty kill. Except, they're terrible in San Jose.
Over the last 11 games at the Tank, the Sharks are 10-0-1 against the Penguins including Thursday night's win.
So having made no move at the trade deadline, the team played just fine with the roster at hand.
Brent Burns who had a 19-game scoring drought, netted a pair of goals and has three goals in two games. Joe Thornton added a fluttering shot near the blue line that knuckled past Pens backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff.
The prettiest goal of the night had to be Patrick Marleau's shorthanded goal in which he took a pass from Jason Demers and then using his breakaway speed, got past Evgeni Malkin and then beat Zatkoff with a backhand move.
Raffi Torres certainly got the team fired up with a couple of hard hits. The Sharks physical play and relentless shot totals eventually wore the Penguins down and resulted in one of the bigger wins of the season for Team Teal.
Game highlights
Turning point
The Sharks scoring their first goal late in the second period. The momentum carried into the third period, outscoring the Penguins 4-1 in the final 20 minutes.
Contenders
Olli Maata - the young Penguins defenseman had two goals and has a lot of tenacity out there on the ice. He could be the next big star in the NHL.
Patrick Marleau - scored his franchise record 16th shorthanded goal for the Sharks.
Brent Burns - scores two goals and he led the Sharks with five hits. He did have a penalty for roughing which allowed the Penguins to score on the power play. Burns later said he didn't regret his penalty because he felt it was just hard nosed play.
Raffi Torres - his two hits in the second period helped sparked the team to the comeback win.
Pretenders
Sidney Crosby - a career worst -5. He becomes the sixth player this season to have that dubious stat in a game. The Sharks simply clamped down on # 87 and San Jose is one of only three teams he has yet to score a goal against. The other teams are the Blackhawks and Blues.
Notes
The Penguins were 20-1-1 when leading after two periods until this game vs. the Sharks. ... Pittsburgh hasn't won in San Jose since October 22, 1997. ... The Sharks won only their third game all season when trailing after two periods. ... Joe Thornton's goal and assist puts him in a tie for 47th place on the all-time points list with Sergei Federov.
Up next, the Sharks host the Montreal Canadians on Saturday night.
Keep your head up.
Ryan Leong