The San Jose Sharks seem confident that Yaroslav Askarov can develop into a true No. 1 goalie in the NHL.
His teammates are going to have to be a whole lot better in front of him to help make that happen.
Askarov’s second-period giveaway against the Utah Mammoth on Friday that resulted in a go-ahead goal by Liam O’Brien was no doubt the game-changing play that led to a 6-3 Sharks loss at the Delta Center.
But that was hardly the only reason why the Sharks lost their fourth straight game to start the season. Askarov’s teammates looked totally disconnected in the first period, in which the 23-year-old goaltender made 10 saves to keep the Sharks in it, and weren’t much better in the third when they allowed three even-strength goals and were outshot 11-5.
Askarov finished with 28 saves as