Sharks overpower Kraken with Kostin's historic performance
- Klim Kostin achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in a high-scoring match, leading the Sharks to victory.
- San Jose scored three consecutive goals in the second period, turning around a 4-3 deficit.
- The Sharks demonstrated their offensive power against a struggling Kraken defense, which has allowed 13 goals in two games.
On November 29, 2024, Klim Kostin showcased an impressive performance, accumulating a Gordie Howe hat trick during the San Jose Sharks' game against the Seattle Kraken in San Jose, California. Kostin scored a goal, provided an assist, and fought Will Borgen, contributing significantly to the Sharks' commanding 8-5 victory over the Kraken. The match marked a stunning display of offensive prowess from the Sharks, where they managed to score six goals after trailing 4-3 at one point in the second period. This victory came despite the Kraken’s efforts, featuring Shane Wright’s two goals, which indicated their persistent struggles as they conceded a season-high number of goals. Throughout the game, San Jose's offense was relentless, highlighted by Jake Walman's two goals and additional contributions from Macklin Celebrini, Mikael Granlund, and Will Smith. Celebrini's performance placed him tied for the rookie lead in goals, demonstrating the rising talent within the Sharks' roster. The game's pivotal moment occurred when the Sharks executed three rapid goals in just seven minutes, successfully flipping a deficit into a substantial lead. Despite the loss, the Kraken had positive takeaways as Shane Wright ended a power-play goal drought, scoring twice while the team secured two power-play goals overall after recently struggling with 20 unsuccessful attempts over the past six games. Yet the disparity in defensive resilience was apparent, as the Kraken allowed 13 goals over their last two games, underscoring their current defensive issues. This match marked the first of a home-and-home series, with the two teams set to face off again the following night in Seattle, raising questions about how the Kraken will respond to their defensive struggles and how the Sharks will maintain their momentum. These recent performances have reignited discussions about the Sharks' young prospects and their development under the current coaching regimen. Players like Celebrini and Smith are proving crucial not only for this game but for the Sharks' overall future competitiveness in the NHL. The stark contrast between the teams' performances highlighted the Sharks’ improvement, particularly in capitalizing on offensive opportunities. As they prepare for their next encounter on November 30, 2024, both teams are likely looking to make adjustments based on this high-scoring affair and their overall performance trends thus far in the season.