SAN JOSE — After clinching a playoff berth Monday, the Sharks coughed up a golden opportunity put themselves within a point of securing home-ice advantage in the first round Tuesday.
The Sharks allowed 40 minutes of dominant hockey to slip through their fingers, losing their fourth straight game as the Dallas Stars scored twice in the third period to record a stunning 4-2 win at SAP Center.
Jamie Benn scored the game-winning goal with 3:06 left in regulation after Gemel Smith tied the game at 2-2 just 2:11 earlier. Benn completed the hat trick at 19:37 of the third by scoring into an empty net.