Graf Rings the Crossbar and San Jose Stays Stuck
Celebrini's linemate hit iron in the first period, and the Sharks never got that break back in a loss at Minnesota.
Written during the game · 12:11 AM ET. Final was SJS 1, MIN 4.
The Sharks needed one bounce to go their way, and Collin Graf hit the crossbar instead. It came late in the 1st period, with the game still wide open, and the puck stayed out.
By expected goals -- how many a shot's quality is worth -- the shot was about 0.56 of a goal. That is far more than any goal in this game was worth. Kirill Kaprizov's opening power-play goal was 0.17, and the Wild's last two goals were 0.02 and 0.01.
San Jose trailed 0-1 at that point after Kaprizov's power-play goal. A goal there could have tied it. The Sharks did tie it later, through Macklin Celebrini, but Minnesota went back ahead two minutes later on another power play.
The final was 4-1 for the Wild. The Sharks had 10 high-danger chances to Minnesota's 16, and they were not blown out on chances. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 23 of 24 shots, and the one that rang off the bar was the one that got away.
