SAN JOSE SHARKS

San Jose Sharks look to snap 12-game losing streak against Canadiens

Jan 11, 2024, 4:35 AM | Updated: May 24, 2024, 4:44 am

Ty Emberson #6 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at SAP Center on Ja...

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Ty Emberson #6 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at SAP Center on January 06, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The San Jose Sharks, mired in a 12-game losing streak, will try to finally get back in the win column when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

The Sharks began the season with an 11-game winless drought (0-10-1) before going 9-7-2 over their next 18 contests. They followed that up with 12 straight regulation losses.

A San Jose defeat on Thursday would mark just the 17th time in NHL history that a team has lost 13 or more consecutive games in a season.

The Sharks’ most recent setback was a 7-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was the fifth time this season the Sharks have allowed seven or more goals in a game.

Coach David Quinn described Tuesday’s rout as “arguably our worst game of the year from start of finish.” He added that he wasn’t impressed with the “effort and our compete” from the Sharks in either of their past two games.

“It wears on you, day and night, 24/7. … It’s hard,” Quinn said. “It takes a special mindset to get out of what we’re in, and we’re going to get out of it. Hopefully it happens in Montreal.”

The Sharks have totaled an NHL-low seven points on the road. Then again, the Canadiens also haven’t been impressive on home ice. Only four teams have fewer points at home than Montreal (18).

While the Sharks are desperate to win, the Canadiens recently have been grinding out results while not playing their best hockey. Montreal is 2-1-1 in its past four games despite being outshot by a whopping 158-81 margin.

Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers saw Montreal take a 2-0 lead midway through the first period on goals from Sean Monahan and David Savard.

Despite the blown two-goal lead, leaving Philadelphia with a point might have been a fortunate outcome for the Canadiens given the game’s lopsided nature. The Flyers held a 39-19 advantage in shots.

“Sometimes you’ve got to find ways to win,” Montreal forward Josh Anderson said. “Not every night you’re going to have your legs there. … But we weren’t ready to go right from the start and the puck drop, and that’s on us.”

Since Cayden Primeau started against the Flyers, Sam Montembeault or Jake Allen likely will be in net against San Jose. Montembeault has been the hotter goalie with wins in his past two games, including a 45-save performance in Montreal’s 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Mackenzie Blackwood likely will start in net for San Jose after stopping 23 of 26 shots in a relief outing against Toronto. Kaapo Kahkonen allowed four goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Blackwood early in the second period.

Captain Nick Suzuki leads all Canadiens skaters in goals (12), assists (22) and points (34). Tomas Hertl leads the Sharks in goals (13) and points (28).

Montreal is 1-6-0 in the second game of back-to-backs this season.

The Canadiens posted a 3-2 win in a shootout in San Jose on Nov. 24.

–Field Level Media

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Newsletter

San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 31: Will Smith #2 of the San Jose Sharks shoots on goal against the ...

Field Level Media

Will Smith scores twice as Sharks rally past Blackhawks

The host San Jose Sharks completed a 3-2 comeback victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at SAP Center.

17 hours ago

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 17: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save on a shot by...

Field Level Media

Last-place Sharks, Blackhawks aim to build on recent wins

Both the Chicago Blackhawks and host San Jose Sharks head into Thursday's matchup at SAP Center on a winning note.

2 days ago

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: William Eklund #72 of the San Jose Sharks skates to a puck during...

Field Level Media

Sharks take over late, beat Kings

Jake Walman had a goal and two assists to help the San Jose Sharks win their second in a row, 4-2, against the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

3 days ago

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: Mikael Granlund #64 of the San Jose Sharks controls the puck duri...

Field Level Media

Sharks overtake Utah, prevail in OT for first win of season

The San Jose Sharks erased a three-goal third-period deficit to edge the Utah Hockey Club 5-4 on Monday in Salt Lake City.

4 days ago

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: Jan Rutta #84 of the San Jose Sharks skates during the first peri...

Field Level Media

Sharks seek first win of 2024-25 NHL season

The San Jose Sharks and Utah Hockey Club meet on Monday night in Salt Lake City, looking to snap their respective losing streaks.

5 days ago

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: Fabian Zetterlund #20 of the San Jose Sharks controls the puck du...

Field Level Media

Warren Foegele tallies twice as Kings top winless Sharks

Warren Foegele scored two goals for Los Angeles on Thursday, helping the Kings win their home opener 3-2 over the winless San Jose Sharks.

8 days ago

San Jose Sharks look to snap 12-game losing streak against Canadiens