San Jose Sharks tie NHL record with 11 losses to start season

The Pittsburgh Penguins triumphed over the San Jose Sharks in a 10-2 victory on Saturday night, marking the home team’s 11th consecutive loss at the start of the NHL season. Reilly Smith and Jake Guentzel stood out with two goals and two assists each, complemented by Evgeni Malkin, who also scored twice. Bryan Rust, Vinnie Hinostroza, Kris Letang, and Matt Nieto also contributed to the Penguins’ impressive win.

Smith’s two first-period goals set the tone for the Penguins, demonstrating that they were determined to counter the Sharks’ struggles. The victory was particularly significant for the Penguins, who had lost five of their last six games before this matchup. Guentzel’s early second-period goal was his 200th career goal, cementing the Penguins’ dominance in the game.

San Jose’s struggles were apparent as they fell to an NHL-record-tying 11-game winless start to the season and the worst goal differential in league history. Sharks coach David Quinn acknowledged that the team was not mentally tough, a sentiment echoed by forward Anthony Duclair, who emphasized the lack of competitive spirit among the players.

In addition to the Penguins’ commanding performance, the game marked the return of Erik Karlsson to San Jose. The former Sharks player assisted in Smith’s power-play goal early in the game, contributing to the Penguins’ resounding win.

With this victory, the Pittsburgh Penguins not only secured a much-needed win but also set the stage for a promising season ahead, exemplified by captain Sidney Crosby’s 1,200th career game milestone. Coach Mike Sullivan expressed hope that the team could build on this success, signaling a positive turning point in their season.