Askarov shines, but Sharks look flat, sloppy in loss to NHL’s last-place team

Goalie Yaroslav Askarov was the San Jose Sharks best athlete for a third straight challenge on Thursday But thanks to a mostly sloppy and lethargic performance by his teammates Askarov s effort didn t outcome in a win Askarov made saves but the Sharks couldn t get out of their own way in a - loss to the Calgary Flames ending their four-game winning streak The Sharks managed just one shot in the first period and five more in the second against a Flames organization that entered Thursday in last place in the NHL standings Flames goalie and Gilroy native Dustin Wolf made saves for his fourth NHL shutout as the Sharks were blanked for the second time this season Flames forward Samuel Honzek scored an empty-net goal with seconds left to seal the win for his crew Askarov made saves in the Sharks - win over the Florida Panthers last Saturday in San Jose and followed that up with a -save performance in a - overtime win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday Thursday puck play and miscommunication haunted the Sharks through the first two periods leading to the Flames first goal With the puck in the Sharks zone Philipp Kurashev tried to send a pass toward the middle of the ice for defenseman Sam Dickinson just inside the blue line Dickinson reached for the puck but Kurashev skated toward him looking like he longed to take control Instead no one took possession Flames forward Blake Coleman picked Dickinson s pocket went in alone on Askarov and scored his seventh of the season at the mark of the second period The Sharks were outshot - in the first two periods Sharks winger Jeff Skinner had to leave Thursday s competition in the first period with what appeared to be a right leg injury Skinner and Flames forward Rory Kerins were chasing after a loose puck inside the Calgary zone when Skinner caught an edge and lost his balance causing his right skate to collide awkwardly against the boards Skinner forthwith crumpled to the ice clutched his lower right leg and was unable to put any weight on it as he was helped off and led to the Sharks dressing room at the mark of the first period The Sharks released before the start of the second period that Skinner would not return The -year-old Skinner who signed a one-year contract with the Sharks in July as a free agent came into Thursday with seven points in games In career NHL games Skinner has goals and assists The Sharks were coming off a - overtime domination over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday which extended their winning streak to four games and their point streak to seven games - - as they moved to within one point of a playoff spot The Sharks were looking to win a fifth straight battle for the first time since November when they won six consecutive games Coming into Thursday the Flames were the NHL s lowest scoring company by a wide margin at goals per contest The Seattle Kraken the Sharks opponent on Saturday is st in scoring averaging goals per match Related Articles Sharks winger helped off ice after ugly-looking leg injury vs Flames Kurtenbach Yes the Sharks are for real This is your call to jump on the bandwagon Sharks recall goalie on urgency basis as Nedeljkovic remains away from crew Celebrini s on a historic run but there s another reason to believe in the Sharks Winger s overtime goal lifts Sharks to comeback win over Minnesota Wild Earlier Thursday the Sharks recalled goalie Jakub Skarek from the Barracuda their AHL affiliate on an exigency basis as Alex Nedeljkovic continues to tend to a personal matter in San Jose Nedeljkovic was expected to get the start against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday but per the Sharks a personal matter came up shortly before the meeting Instead Askarov started for the third time in four games with Nedeljkovic sitting on the bench during what became a - win for the Sharks in overtime Nedeljkovic has since been granted non-roster status creating a spot on the Sharks -man roster for Skarek It was not without delay known how long Nedeljkovic would be away from the band