Sharks’ need for penalty killers seen in 5-2 loss vs. Oilers

Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at Sheng_Peng.

Anybody can do it.

I hear that about penalty-killing a lot, have heard that about top San Jose Sharks PK’ers like Melker Karlsson, Matt Nieto, and Andrew Cogliano, among others, over the years.

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But not anybody can do it, as we saw in the Sharks’ 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. This tied the game after Erik Karlsson gave San Jose a 1-0 lead.

Hope you like your Yams nice & hot. 🍠🔥

That's goals in seven of the last eight. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/QXG1UE503v
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 25, 2022

“The first power play goal, our F1 in the neutral zone abandoned the middle of the ice,” San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner admitted.

When Duncan Keith (2) comes up the ice, Noah Gregor (73) should be there to meet him and force Keith to the dot lane – that’s the outside lanes. Instead, Gregor sits back.