Philipp Kurashev heroics propel Sharks to OT win over Avalanche

Philipp Kurashev scored twice, including the overtime winner, lifting the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Kurashev snapped a shot over the glove of Mackenzie Blackwood at 1:48 of the extra period for the game-winner, giving San Jose back-to-back victories for the first time since March 22 and March 27.

Macklin Celebrini also scored for the Sharks, and Yaroslav Askarov made 36 saves for San Jose, which improved to 2-3-2 on home ice this season.

Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon responded for Colorado, while Blackwood stopped 20 shots in the loss. Colorado had its brief two-game win streak snapped in the loss.

San Jose took its first lead of the game at 4:07 of the middle period as Kurashev put his shot up and over the glove of Blackwood on a partial break, giving the Sharks a 2-1 lead.

MacKinnon tied it 2-2 at 9:10 of the middle frame. MacKinnon's shot appeared to be going in when Sharks forward Jeff Skinner knocked the net off its moorings. Following a video review, it was determined to be a good goal.

The Avalanche opened the scoring 30 seconds into the first period as Necas' shot redirected off the skate of Timothy Liljegren and past Askarov for his ninth of the season.

Celebrini tied it 1-1 at 18:21 of the period, snapping a Tyler Toffoli feed blocker-side past Blackwood for his seventh of the season. Celebrini has points in seven straight (six goals, seven assists).

Liljegren left the game with 2:55 remaining in the first period. The Sharks defenseman took a deflected puck up high while sitting on the San Jose bench and required assistance leaving. The club called it an upper-body injury.

The Colorado Avalanche recalled forward Taylor Makar from the AHL on Friday. The younger brother of all-star defenseman Cale Makar made his NHL debut on Saturday, playing 6:07.

--Field Level Media