William Eklund, playing as a center for the San Jose Sharks, has shown promising performance, contributing significantly to the team's recent success. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, with Eklund's assistance, scored off a zone entry, leading to a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks' goaltender, achieved his first shutout of the season and first as a Shark, making 32 saves. The Sharks have won four of their last five games, with Vlasic scoring four goals in his last eight games, marking one of the best goal-scoring stretches of his career, and setting a personal record with 13 game-winning goals. The team's improved performance also reflects a newfound confidence, as noted by Blackwood, who highlighted the team's ability to close out games calmly.
5 goals in 9 games for Vlasic, it's the hottest goal-scoring stretch of his career. Best 5-goal stretches in his career --> 2008-09: 5 goals in 52 games 2013-14: 66 games 2014-15: 29 games 2015-16: 17 games 2016-17: 58 games 2017-18: 11 games 2019-20: 22 games
Every time Vlasic scores right now, I only think of this: @SnipeCity420 #SJSharks https://t.co/um2iHnWeoM
Erik who? Vlasic with the slapper, makes it 2-1 Sharks.
2-1 Sharks. Vlasic with his second seeing-eye shot goal in as many nights. #FlyTogether
The Kraken outshot the Sharks 32-22, including 13-3 in the 1st period, but fell to 6-3 all-time against San Jose: https://t.co/uFukHswM80
Marc-Edouard Vlasic broke a scoreless tie with 12:33 remaining, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves as the San Jose Sharks shut out the Seattle Kraken. https://t.co/SCNBnQ5g5x https://t.co/OVmpZWngbf
The San Jose Sharks blanked the Seattle Kraken 2-0 Tuesday night: https://t.co/uFukHswM80
With resurgence, Sharks' Vlasic fends off the haters: 'Who would have thought I can still play this game?' https://t.co/Pfzyqe4KmS
With resurgence, Sharks’ Vlasic fends off the haters: ‘Who would have thought I can still play this game?’ https://t.co/WgFyXy8vYZ
Mackenzie Blackwood makes 32 saves as Kraken suffer 2-0 loss to Sharks https://t.co/VnEArmF04k
Tonight's story has been updated with quotes. That might've been the #SJSharks' best third period of the season. They really played with confidence, which is a change from earlier in the season. @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/yI1rTdYeCm
Blackwood on the #SJSharks winning games like this: "I think it's a mentality. I think we have confidence now that we can close the game out, whereas, at the start of the year, we were gripping the sticks a little too hard, making panic plays. It seemed calm and believed that you…
Blackwood on his shutout: "It can be done. No, no. It was good. The boys played hard and really closed it up at the end after we scored that goal." #SJSharks
Eklund on his play at the C: "Felt good. I got a lot of pucks, got a lot of possession that's what I like. I like to play with the puck, and I feel like Duke and Barbie did a hell of a job today." #SJSharks
Quinn on Vlasic: “I mean, he's a prideful guy and he's going to be a Hall of Famer. The leave of absence did him good, but he really did have some personal stuff he had to iron out.” #SJSharks
Quinn on Vlasic: “I mean, he's a prideful guy and he's going to be a Hall of Famer. The leave of absence did him good, but really did and he had some personal stuff he had to iron out.” #SJSharks
Blackwood on his shutout: “It can be done.“ #SJSharks
Vlasic on his play the last few weeks: “Like I said, I've been skating (and) making plays. Who would have thought I can still play this game.” #SJSharks
I asked Vlasic how he’s felt about his own game of late. “Playing well. Like I said, I've been skating, making plays. Who would have thought I can still play this game?” #SJSharks
Vlasic: “Who would have thought? I can still play this game.”
Blackwood shines, shuts out Kraken as Sharks earn fourth win in five games https://t.co/bQcsYidhoA
Sharks Shut Out Opponent for 1st Time This Season, Eklund & Blackwood Shine https://t.co/AZPfpzEzJ7
Vlasic passes Dan Boyle for second all-time in game-winning goals by a defenseman. He has 13 in his #SJSharks career.
The #SJSharks get their first shutout of the season. Eklund looked great down the middle, and Vlasic stayed hot. Read the recap on @TheHockeyNews.⤵️ https://t.co/aY3uYm8w1y https://t.co/aY3uYm8w1y
Blackwood with 32 saves, his first shutout of the season
First time that #SJSharks have shut out an opponent this season. Tremendous effort by Blackwood, his first Sharks shutout ever, his first shutout since 12/8/21
Jan Rutta, ENG, 2-0 Sharks. They'll win for the fourth time in five games
Marc-Édouard Vlasic now has 4 goals in his last 8 games. #SJSharks https://t.co/h6afDuBbMS
4 goals in 8 games is tied for the best goal-scoring stretch of Vlasic's career. 2nd time in his career that Vlasic has scored 4 goals in 8 games. First time was 1/18/18 to 2/2/18.
Vlasic scores off one of the slipperiest zone entries you’ll see via William Eklund. #SlipperyPete #SJSharks https://t.co/4IXV6kMQvl
This goal is all created off Eklund’s zone entry. Just before this he stopped up in the D-zone to give him space, then got the legs going. #SJSharks https://t.co/uXnqDehEjj
William Eklund with a SWEET spin move. Tried to cut in front. This kid is an NHL center.
Three goals in 5 games for Vlasic. Eklund and Emberson with the assists. Now 12:09 left, 3rd period
Marc-Edouard Vlasic breaks the ice! This was all created by Eklund's zone entry. 1-0 #SJSharks
I hope people understand me when I say this. I feel like Eklund's game sense/feel is much higher at center. I really have liked his game tonight. #SJSharks
Blackwood with his 20th save after the Sharks lose control of the puck at their own blue line. Still 0-0, 16:25 left, 3rd period.
Pretty good start from Eklund at center tonight. One figured he would have a ton of energy. The key is keeping that energy level up for 60 minutes.
William Eklund is getting his first chance at being a center in the NHL. He has all the tools to be a successful centerman for the #SJSharks. Read more on @TheHockeyNews.⤵️ https://t.co/j4D5ldQG7F https://t.co/j4D5ldQG7F