Sharks takeways: What we learned in 3-2 loss to Devils to end road trip

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For the second game in a row, the Sharks entered the third period on Sunday with a 2-1 lead, and the opportunity to put another notch in the win column. It was also the second game in a row they gave up a late lead.

San Jose closed out a five-game road trip with a super speedy tilt against the Devils on Sunday. But after exchanging chances with the New Jersey Devils for two periods, New Jersey emerged victorious with the 3-2 win.

Here are three takeaways from the Sharks' final game of the five-game road trip.

The penalty kill got a lot of work in on Sunday

The Sharks likely occupied the sin bin a little more than they would’ve liked on Sunday. After drawing the first penalty of the game, the Sharks went on the kill seven consecutive times, including a dicey double-minor called on Erik Karlsson in the final minutes of the third period. The penalty kill also contributed to the Devils' win, surrendering New Jersey's first goal of the afternoon while playing on the short end of a five-on-three.

While the kill looked good outside of giving up that goal, spending so much time playing down a skater can wear a team out. Being on the penalty kill four times before the start of the third period likely contributed to San Jose having difficulty sustaining pressure in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Martin Jones was in midseason form through 40 minutes

The Sharks starter was a brick wall through the first two periods of Sunday’s game. He was particularly impressive as he robbed Devils’ forward Nico Hischier on two grade-A chances. When Kyle Palmieri punched the tying goal in past Jones’ skate in the start of the third period, it looked like the netminder was going to be able to keep it out.

But, New Jersey snagged the lead late in the game. Jones was caught out of position when Jean-Sebastian Dea deposited the game-winner.

San Jose continues creating chances, but still need more goals

Team Teal didn’t put 40-plus shots on goal like they did in their previous two games. But, like with their game against the Rangers on Thursday, they only found the back of the net a couple of times.

Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer said after the Sharks loss in New York on Thursday that the dam will eventually burst and the goals would start coming more readily. It didn't happen before San Jose headed home. 

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