SHARKSThe San Jose Sharks warmly welcomed the sounds of victory celebrations at SAP Center on Tuesday night, winning their first game after a season-worst 10-game losing streak.
The Sharks opened their matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets on the right foot, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and holding on for a 3-2 win.
With Minnesota's acquisition of Marc-Andre Fleury at the Trade Deadline, the Sharks saw an opportunity to add goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, who came off a strong rookie season last year. The 25-year-old goalie recorded his first win as a Shark on Tuesday in his eighth appearance, saving 22 out of 24 Columbus shots.
"He's played some really, really good games, we just haven't been able to score for him," said Sharks Captain Logan Couture of Kahkonen. "Tonight we were able to get three (goals) and hung on there, he made some great saves for us."
Couture recorded his 28th assist of the year on Tuesday, bringing his point total to 51 as he closes out his 13th season with the Sharks.
Eliminated from Playoff contention with a shootout loss to Chicago on April 14, San Jose carries a 30-34-12 record into Thursday's contest with the Blues, worth 72 points and seventh place in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThe Blues won both of their matchups with San Jose this season, 5-3 in San Jose on Nov. 4 and 4-1 at Enterprise Center on Nov. 18. Goalie prospect Joel Hofer recorded his first NHL start and win, while also notching his first point, in the Nov. 4 victory.
The Blues have won four straight games against the Sharks and are 5-0-1 in their last six matchups.