No team is guaranteed a spot in the 2015-2016 NHL playoffs but what is guaranteed is the pressure that comes with fighting for one. The pressure for the Sharks to earn a spot is eminent as they missed the playoffs last year for the first time in ten seasons, disappointing fans, the franchise, and most importantly– themselves.

Going into this Monday night home game against the Ottawa Senators, the San Jose Sharks held a five game winning streak that was crucial for them to increase if they wanted to acquire the two points needed to surpass the Arizona Coyotes in the Pacific Division standings. Every point gained in the Pacific Division is imperative as standings are so tight. To put it into perspective, going into this game the Sharks had 48 points, third in division, the Los Angeles Kings had 59 points in first place, and the Edmonton Oilers had 41 points, holding the last place in the division. Therefore, the Sharks are closer to the last place in the division than first place, showing every point is vital for Pacific Division teams.

Less than ten minutes into the game, the Senators silenced the roaring home crowd as Max McCormick commenced the wave of goals. Sharks fans cringed at McCormick’s goal as, Sharks goalie, Alex Stalock’s horrible play resulted in a lead for Ottawa. The Sharks were not able to tie the game during the first but prevailed over the Senators (5 shots on goal) with 11 shots on goal during the period.

Still hopeful, San Jose fans welcomed the Sharks to the second period, confident their team would not fall behind. However, Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan took full advantage of a power play and gave the Sens a two goal lead. Ryan’s goal was in turn followed by an awkward silence from Sharks fans.

Silence was only temporary; 8 seconds long to be exact. In desperate mode, Tomas Hertl got the Sharks on the scoreboard for the first time that night just 8 seconds after Ryan’s goal. Hertl’s goal was assisted by alternate captain Joe Thornton and NHL all-star Brent Burns. Second period ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of Ottawa.

As the third period commenced, the Sharks offense went straight to the opponent’s side, determined to tie the game, and that they did. Less than three minutes into the period alternate captain Logan Couture made it a tied game with assists from Joel Ward and  Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Building from the momentum, Sharks’ Nieto fought past Ottawa captain, Erik Karlsson, and made a beautiful goal with a pass from rookie Donskoi.

Sharks then played confidently as they gained their first lead of the game. However, during a Sharks powerplay, Senators’ Zack Smith got a short-handed breakaway but was tripped by Brent Burns. As a result, Smith was awarded a penalty shot that Stalock was not able to deny. However, DeBoer and his team challenged the goal as it seemed the goalie had interacted with the puck before it went into the net. After review, the officials declared it was a good goal, tying the game once again. Sharks dominated the third period and ended with 9 shots on goal whilst Ottawa ended the period with only 3 shots on goal.

To decide the winner of the game, Sharks and Senators headed to the NHL’s modified overtime, a 3 on 3, 5 minute period. Both teams had great chances in the extra period but none could get it past the determined goalies. After the five minutes and no winner, thrilled fans prepared for the nerve-wrecking shootouts.

Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, attempted the shootout. Fans sighed in disappointment as the shot was blocked. Senator Bobby Ryan also failed to to give his team a winning goal. Sharks then tried Joonas Donskoi in hopes there would be a repeat of the beautiful shootout goal he made the game before. Donskoi couldn’t match his previous shootout goal and missed the net. Up next was Ottawa Senators’ captain Mika Zibanejad; Zibanejad shot it through Jones’ legs and scored the first goal of the shootouts. It was then up to Couture whether the Sharks would fall short or keep the game going. Couture’s shot stopped only a couple inches away from passing the goal line, leaving fans in awe as it gave the illusion it past the line.

After coming back from behind, Zibanejad’s shoot out won the game and ended the Sharks’ five game winning streak. It was nothing new for Ottawa though, the Sens overcame a two goal lead from the Los Angeles Kings just two nights before. Clearly, the Sharks gave up too many chances to a determined group of players who aren’t known to give up no matter the circumstances. Although the Sharks did not earn two points, they did obtain at least one — which is the foremost parts of the night.