Power play comes up toothless
NEW YORK — Perhaps it was the early start on the East Coast that hurt the Sharks.
San Jose went 0-for-4 on the power play to fall to 0-for-10 for the season as the Islanders shut out San Jose 4-0 in a Monday matinee on Columbus Day in New York.
“They played a desperate game,” Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer said. “They blocked shots. They were heavy . ... And you have to give their goalie credit. He made big saves at the right time.”
Goaltender Robin Lehner had quite a debut with the Islanders in his first regularseason game in more than six months, stopping 35 shots for his ninth career shutout.
Lehner played for the first time since March 29 for Buffalo. He left that game against Detroit because of a panic attack and subsequently was treated for alcohol and drug addiction and also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD and PTSD.
“I try to just move forward here, but obviously, a little bit special,” said Lehner, who was 14-26-9 with three shutouts and a 3.01 goals-against average for the Sabres last season. “I felt real good back in the game again, doing what I love, perfectly healthy.”
Anders Lee, Scott Mayfield, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas scored to help New York get new head coach Barry Trotz his first win at home.
With New York leading 3-0, Lehner denied Tomas Hertl on the doorstep with 1:40 left to preserve the shutout and get his first win against the Sharks after coming into Monday 0-4 with a 3.33 GAA in four games.
Lehner had two nice stops on San Jose’s power play in the first period, denying Joe Pavelski’s tip try and making a glove save on Logan Couture. New York has not allowed a power-play goal in eight chances this season. The Islanders got on the scoreboard late in a second period in which they outshot the Sharks 12-8. The gaol came on a man advantage as Lee knocked in the rebound of Josh Bailey’s shot from the right circle for his second at 14:34.
Martin Jones finished with 26 saves for San Jose, which has lost two of its first three games. Briefly: DeBoer said the swelling in center Joe Thornton’s right knee is because of an infection. Thornton, who had surgery on the knee, was placed on injured reserve during the weekend and did not accompany the team on its four-game Eastern swing . ... The teams conclude their two-game season series Oct. 20 at SAP Center.