"The San Jose Sharks could not have asked for a better start in Edmonton. Less than two minutes into the game, the team jumped out to a two-goal lead against the Edmonton Oilers, with Collin Graf getting the first point on the board just 26 seconds into the game and Adam Gaudette adding a second one 1:11 later. A Michael Misa goal midway through the first period put the Sharks up 3-0 and with a comfortable lead, the team was in good shape."
"San Jose was disciplined. It did not take penalties. In fact, it was so disciplined that Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky chose not to challenge what was likely a goal by Barclay Goodrow when it was waved off for goaltender interference in the second period. Goodrow scores but the refs waive it off for no goal pic.twitter.com/qi86FS6Ebp- JD Young (@MyFryHole) January 30, 2026 San Jose did exactly what it needed to do, through two periods."
"But hockey is a three-period game, and sometimes it even needs overtime. Whether you like it or not, it feels like this game can be hung squarely on game management. I'm not one to criticize Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky a lot. I think that overall, he's done a lot with what little he's had, and that's a tough position to be in. However, I think that last night, in the third period, he played to not lose rather than win the game."
San Jose Sharks started strongly in Edmonton, scoring three early goals to lead 3-0 by mid-first period. Through two periods, Corsi differential shows San Jose matched a more skilled Edmonton Oilers team in possession and play. San Jose avoided penalties and displayed strong discipline, with Coach Ryan Warsofsky declining to challenge a waved-off Barclay Goodrow goal. In the third period, coaching choices shifted the team's approach toward protecting the lead rather than extending it. Line changes affected momentum, Toffoli's illness influenced personnel decisions, and the bench was shortened when the goaltender was pulled, with Warsofsky deploying Dmitry Orlov, Mario Ferraro and Timothy Liljegren.
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