Sharks trio puts on show for home fans at NHL All-Star Game

SAN JOSE -- Joe Pavelski, Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns didn't let the 10-4 semifinal loss by the Pacific Division to the Central Division in the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday ruin their All-Star Weekend.

The three San Jose Sharks stayed on the ice after the rest of the players in the game had exited and raised their sticks, saluting the fans as they skated around their home rink at SAP Center.
"I just think for this weekend to come to San Jose, it's just a celebration of a lot of great players coming together with the game," said Pavelski, a forward who's San Jose's captain. "It's fun playing in the city you play for. Every time our names got announced or we stepped on the ice you could hear the little extra roars. So it was pretty cool to be a part of."
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Karlsson, a defenseman playing in his sixth All-Star Game and first with the Sharks, scored two goals for the Pacific Division. He missed the past three regular-season games for San Jose with a lower-body injury and had considered skipping the All-Star Game to rest.

"We discussed it," said Karlsson, who was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 13. "But being here in San Jose, I think it's important when you get the opportunity to participate like I did. I felt it was something I wanted to do. I know how much it means for this organization and fan base in this community. I was happy I was able to do it, and I get a few more days here and hopefully be back after the break."
Burns had a goal and an assist in his sixth All-Star Game. The defenseman has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in the four All-Star Games since the format was changed to 3-on-3.

"The chants were pretty cool," Burns said of the support from Sharks fans. "I think 3-on-3, it's a totally different atmosphere, but the crowd was awesome. It was good energy."
Pavelski had two assists in his third All-Star Game. He nearly scored on a signature deflection on the game's first shift, skating with Burns and Karlsson against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.
"It was funny how that first shift it just kind of happened," Pavelski said. "These two guys just always shooting at me. I knew it was coming, I made a good tip on it, hit [Rinne] in the head. It's something we just do out there. It comes natural. It's a fun play for me to go to the net and try to get a stick on it."
Karlsson scored the Pacific's first goal on a breakaway at 4:51 of the first period, cutting the Central's lead to 2-1.
"It was awesome," Karlsson said. "It's been a while since I scored, so I was happy about that. But it was fun. Obviously it didn't go as well as we planned, but I always enjoy these things and it's nice to be around guys that you usually compete against and be in an environment like this. To share it with these two guys is something that's always going to be special. I'm extremely happy that I got the opportunity to do this."

Burns, Pavelski and Karlsson each took part in the SAP NHL All-Star Skills on Friday. Burns finished second in the SAP NHL Hardest Shot competition; After missing the net on his first attempt, his second shot was 100.6 mph. Pavelski was fourth in the Honda NHL Accuracy Shooting event (14.423 seconds), and Karlsson was seventh in the Enterprise NHL Premier Passer competition (1:58.824).
The highlight Friday for both Burns and Pavelski involved family members. Burns' son, Jagger, and Pavelski's son, Nate, skated during warmups then stayed on the ice near the sideboards throughout the skills competition, enjoying it from close range.