Sharks Complete Comeback in Utah

Sharks Win First Game in Dramatic Fashion

We have been waiting for nine games to type this. The San Jose Sharks have won their first game of the 2024-2025 after a dramatic comeback Monday night in Utah. The Sharks 12-game losing streak dating back to last season is over.

The Sharks were trailing 4-1 with less than five minutes to go in the third period before ripping off three straight goals in 1:50. This was the Sharks first win in October since 2022!

Fabian Zetterlund cut the Utah lead to 4-2 at 15:28 in the third period, his second of the game. Shortly after at 15:53, Mikael Granlund scored his fifth goal of the season to cut the lead to 4-3. Then at the 17:18 mark of the third, Tyler Toffoli tied the game at four with his fifth goal of the season. The game would head into overtime, so the Sharks were guaranteed at least one point in the game.

William Eklund drew a hooking penalty 1:19 into overtime, and Alexander Wennberg scored his first goal as a Shark to give Ryan Warsofsky his first win as an NHL head coach. The three-goal comeback could have been a turning point for the Sharks this season, but outright winning this game is a huge momentum boost for the team heading into their game tomorrow night at SAP Center vs. the LA Kings. 

The Sharks became the ninth team in NHL history to win their first game of a season by overcoming a three-goal deficit in the third period. They joined the 2021-22 Lightning, 2019-20 Canadiens, 2019-20 Jets, 2016-17 Jets, 2015-16 Wild, 2013-14 Oilers, 2009-10 Wild and 1986-87 Whalers. (h/t NHL Public Relations).

Few notes from tonight’s game. Will Smith did not play for the third time this season as this was another development day for the Sharks rookie. The other scratches were Jack Thompson and Ty Dellandrea.

Mikael Granlund extended his goals streak to four games (five goals), matching the longest streak of his career (Feb. 18-28, 2017 with Minnesota).

Jake Walman had three points in the third period for the Sharks. From Darin Stephens on X: Walman became the 3rd defenseman in #TheFutureIsTeal history to record 3 assists in a period, joining Neil Wilkinson (Nov. 8, 1991 at Oilers, 1st period) and Doug Wilson (Feb. 14, 1992 at Sabres, 2nd period).