SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks played some of their best hockey of the season on a recently completed road trip but were unable to sustain that momentum in their first game at home in close to a month.
The Sharks allowed even-strength goals to Rickard Rakell and Jake Guentzel and had trouble solving goalie Casey DeSmith in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday at SAP Center. Sidney Crosby assisted on all three of Pittsburgh’s goals and now has 19 points in 20 career regular-season games against the Sharks.
DeSmith made 27 saves in the first two periods, including three on two Penguins power plays, as the Sharks dropped to 5-13-7 on home ice this season. The Sharks’ last home game before Tuesday was Jan. 18 against the Dallas Stars.