- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
For a moment Tuesday night, Sharks fans remembered they were primarily fans of the team wearing teal, and not fans of free tacos or a 25.5 percent chance at assumed No. 1 overall 2023 draft choice Connor Bedard.
William Eklund, the Sharks’ top prospect, scored his first NHL goal in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of an announced crowd of 10,127 fans at SAP Center. The Sharks, at the moment, are contending for the top 2023 NHL Draft lottery odds with the Blue Jackets.
The No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 draft appeared in nine games for the Sharks last season and notched four assists. This season, in six contests now, he has one goal and one assist.
“It was a good battle in the corner. [Tomas] Hertl got it up to [Derrick Pouliot],” Eklund said. “Pully sent it to the net and I was able to tap in.”