Askarov Stands Tall in a Sharks Loss Nobody Earned Him

Yaroslav Askarov did his job in a game the Sharks still lost 2-0 to Buffalo. He stopped 38 of 39 shots over 59:21 of ice time and was handed the loss anyway.

Buffalo's chances were worth about four goals, going by expected goals, which measures how many goals the shots should have produced. Askarov allowed one. By goals saved above expected, that is 3.21 goals better than an average goalie would have managed behind the same chances.

San Jose had only 23 shots at the other end and could not give him any support, including on three power plays.

This was a step up from his season so far. Through 8 starts he is 3-5 with a .900 save percentage, and he has 3 quality starts. His .970 save percentage on the night sits well above that. The Sharks are 6-6-1, have lost two straight, and host Vancouver on Thursday.