Hertl OT winner sends Sharks past Rangers 3-2

Tomas Hertl notched the game-winning goal just 1:29 into overtime as the San Jose Sharks, currently ranked last in the NHL, staged a comeback to defeat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Tuesday night, securing their first three-game winning streak of the season.

The Sharks overcame a 2-0 deficit with quick third-period goals from Nico Sturm and Ryan Carpenter within the opening five minutes. Hertl sealed the victory by converting a cross-ice pass from Jan Ruuta into an open net, a play initiated by Alexander Barabanov’s puck control in the offensive zone.

Artemi Panarin contributed his 29th goal for the struggling Rangers, who concluded their West Coast trip with a 1-2-1 record and are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Adam Fox also had a goal and an assist.

Panarin extended New York’s lead to 2-0 early in the second period with a well-placed wrist shot over screened goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood’s right shoulder. Panarin, the leading scorer for the Metropolitan Division leaders, has points in 14 of his last 16 games.

Fox opened the scoring in the first period, capitalizing on a rebound from a wrist shot by Alexis Lafrenière that created a scramble in front of the San Jose net.

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Rangers coach Peter Laviolette expressed the belief that his team could have applied more pressure in the offensive zone. San Jose took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Rangers as Sturm intercepted a pass from Erik Gustafsson behind the net, banking in the puck off goalie Igor Shesterkin. Shortly after, Carpenter redirected a shot from Ruuta to level the score at 2-2.

The Sharks, undefeated since the return of captain Logan Couture from injury, had previously lost 15 of their last 16 games. Blackwood made 29 saves in the win, while Shesterkin stopped 19 shots.

Following a shootout victory the previous night in Los Angeles, the Sharks achieved back-to-back wins for the first time this season.