Avalanche lay a 7-3 smackdown on Sharks

DENVER, Colo. — The San Jose Sharks might have felt helpless like the Donner Party did when they were snowed in back in 1846.

The Colorado Avalanche overpowered and outmatched San Jose in a dominating 7-3 victory on Tuesday evening at Ball Arena.

San Jose actually started the game well as they scored the game's first goal when Ryan Donato batted in a puck from a tough angle at the 10:39 mark of the first period. Team Teal held their own defensively for the first 15 minutes.

Then the wheels fell off the wagon quickly as Colorado scored three goals in a span of 3:06 to take control of the game and never looked back.

Colorado scored every which way, with a power play and a short-handed goal to go along with the five they scored at even strength.

Samuel Girard scored Colorado's fifth goal early in the second period, sending Sharks starting goaltender Martin Jones to the showers. Devan Dubnyk replaced Jones for the remainder of the game. It was a tough night for both goaltenders as they were left hung out to dry by their team with a cascade of turnovers and Colorado's relentless ability to create scoring chances.

"I think once they started rolling, we got a little passive, and we gave them a little too much room," said defenseman Erik Karlsson. "We started doubting ourselves a bit. That's probably why the game ran away from us against a good team like this."

Colorado kept its foot on the gas pedal in the second period outscoring the Sharks 4-1. San Jose always seemed to be a step behind and were on its heels with constant pressure from all four Avalanche lines. Cale Makar was the biggest thorn in the side of the Sharks as he led the way with three assists and was dangerous whenever he possessed the puck throughout the game.

When asked if the eight-game roadtrip had started to take a mental toll on the players, head coach Bob Boughner didn't want to use any excuses for his team's overall poor performance on the night.

"I wouldn't say that. We had a pretty solid road trip up until now. We beat ourselves with some turnovers, and just not playing smart enough. We let people behind us all night and you can't do that," Boughner said.

Noah Gregor scored his second goal of the season in the second period to make it a three-goal game. That was as close as the Sharks would get. Captain Logan Couture scored his third goal of the season in the third period to close out the scoring for San Jose.

Things became chippy late in the third period as frustration from the Sharks spilled over with a few instances of extra pushing and shoving after the whistle. The Sharks hope to carry that emotion into the game on Thursday as they conclude its two-game series with the Avalanche and its eight-game road trip.

"When you get spanked like that, you want to get right back at it," said Couture. "I think everyone is wishing we played tomorrow."

Brandon Saad had two goals and former Shark Joonas Donskoi also scored his third goal of the season for Colorado.