SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks wanted to end their home schedule on a positive note on Saturday and see Erik Karlsson score two points to etch his name alongside some of the best offensive defenders of all time.
Neither happened, as the Sharks fell three behind on goals from Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman and Derek Ryan and never recovered in a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in San Jose’s final game of the season at SAP Center .
McDavid’s goal was his NHL-best 63rd of the season and also gave him 150 points, as he became the first player to reach that mark since Mario Lemieux had 161 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.
McDavid and Ryan’s goals came from Shark turnovers, something that has plagued them all season, especially at home.
Unable to connect on a pass, Logan Couture and Thomas Bordeleau flipped the puck as the Sharks attempted to leave the zone. Soon after, after a scramble for the Sharks’ net, McDavid was left alone and tagged a loose puck past goaltender James Reimer.
On Ryan’s goal, Karlsson attempted a half-wall backhand pass to Couture at the blue line, which was picked up by Ryan, who charged into the Sharks zone with the odd one out and then a give-and-go with Ryan worked. Nugent-Hopkins for a 4-1 lead in Edmonton.
Tomas Hertl scored and Reimer finished with 30 saves as the Sharks finished their season at home with an 8-22-11 record, tying the franchise tally for fewest wins on home ice in a full season.
The Sharks went 8-33-1 in 1992-93 in its second and final season at the Cow Palace in Daly City before moving into their current home the following fall.
Karlsson came in with 98 points on Saturday after collecting two points in the Sharks’ 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. A defenseman has reached 100 points in a season 15 times in league history, but the only ones to do so are Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five times), Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch and Denis Potvin, who all agreed.
Leetch was the last defenseman to reach the century mark in points, as he had 102 points for the New York Rangers in 1991–92.