Rakell lifts Ducks past Sharks in OT

ANAHEIM -- Rickard Rakell scored 14 seconds into overtime to give the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 win against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center on Sunday.

Rakell skated in behind Sharks forward Logan Couture on a line change, received a pass from Troy Terry and deked Zach Sawchenko for the game-winning goal.
"This win was huge for us," Rakell said. "I thought we battled throughout the whole game. It was a tough game, but it's nice to come out with the two points."
Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist, and Terry and Cam Fowler each had two assists each for the Ducks (27-22-9), who had lost three of their past four games.
Anthony Stolarz started and made 20 saves in place of John Gibson, who is day to day with an upper-body injury.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored his first of the season, and Sawchenko made 33 saves in his first NHL start for the Sharks (24-25-7), who were coming off an 8-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday and are 2-6-5 in their past 13 games.
"I thought he stood tall," San Jose coach Bob Boughner said of Sawchenko. "I thought that he gave us the saves we needed early. He made some big saves to keep the momentum on our side."

Sawchenko had previously made four relief appearances this season, including in the loss to the Predators.
"Throughout my journey, that's the one thing I've really held close to me is that belief that I know I can play here," Sawchenko said. "Earning the trust to get a start, that's a whole another step, right, so it's all part of the process here, just brick by brick, building a career and trusting the process."
Couture gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 7:47 of the first period when he shot five-hole on Stolarz from the left circle on a 2-on-1.
Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom sustained a lower-body injury in the neutral zone prior to the goal and did not return. Anaheim was also without center Ryan Getzlaf, who missed the game because of a lower-body injury and is day to day.
"Those are two influences on our games, right, [Getzlaf] and [Gibson]," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "Two big leaders in our room, and then losing 'Lundy' early in the game, everyone had to pick up."
Henrique, who moved into Lundestrom's spot at center, tied it 1-1 at 1:41 of the second period. Max Comtois' initial shot was saved by Sawchenko, but the rebound deflected in off Henrique near the left post.
"We had three power plays in the first period that we didn't click on," Henrique said. "They can get momentum off of that ... but I think we did a good job sticking with the game plan and kept pushing and pushing and pushing and trying to wear them down over the full game."

Vlasic put San Jose back in front 2-1 at 2:57 when his shot from the right point deflected in off the shin of Anaheim defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk during a delayed penalty.
It was his first goal since March 8, 2021 (77 games).
Sonny Milano tied it 2-2 with 21 seconds left in the second, gathering a loose puck at the top of the crease and shooting into an open net.
"Pucks weren't really bouncing our way, but I thought we battled our way through it," Rakell said. "We just kept it a close one and got the win in overtime."
Jake Middleton appeared to score shorthanded for the Sharks with 7:03 remaining in the third period, but Eakins challenged the play for offside, and the call was reversed after a video review.
"It's on us," San Jose forward Tomas Hertl said of the loss. "Especially at the end of the game, we had the chances against Anaheim."
NOTES:Sharks defenseman Santeri Hatakka was recalled from San Jose of the American Hockey League and had the secondary assist on Couture's goal. Hatakka replaced Radim Simek, who is day to day with an upper-body injury. ... San Jose forward Ryan Dzingel was a healthy scratch. ... Middleton and Nicolas Meloche each had seven blocked shots. ... Comtois entered the lineup after being a healthy scratch in four of the previous five games.