Avalanche vs Sharks today: early fireworks at the Tank, debut watch for Taylor Makar, and the matchup edges to track

The Colorado Avalanche rolled into San Jose on Saturday looking to keep a hot start intact, and they struck first—only for the Sharks’ prized rookie to punch back early in the second. With the game knotted after an opening flurry, the afternoon tilt at SAP Center has already delivered storylines beyond the standings.

Live state of play

• Score: Even after an exchange of goals—Colorado opened late in the first; San Jose leveled early in the second.

• Tone: Colorado’s top unit set the pace with fast entries and a point-shot threat; San Jose answered by leaning on its youngsters and attacking off turnovers between the blue lines.

• Goaltending: Colorado’s starter is making his first meaningful road minutes of the year in this building; San Jose countered with a steady, rebound-managed approach to blunt rush looks.

(This is a developing game; numbers and scorers may update at the horn.)

What’s at stake

Colorado entered the day with just one regulation loss on the season and a chance to stretch a multi-game point run. San Jose, rebuilding but feisty at home, is hunting a statement win and trying to break a long head-to-head skid against the Avs.

Debut watch: Taylor Makar

Colorado recalled Taylor Makar ahead of the road trip, and the 6-foot-4 winger is on NHL debut watch. If he dresses, expect fourth-line minutes with a brief penalty-kill look: north–south forechecks, net-front screens, and safe touches that keep structure intact.

Matchup keys on the board

1. Colorado’s controlled entries vs San Jose’s gaps
   The Avs are most dangerous when their first touch after the blue line is a clean pass to the slot or the point for a one-timer. San Jose’s fix is early contact at the line and stick-on-puck in the high slot to deny those seams.

2. Sharks’ rush chances
   San Jose’s best looks arrive when they flip pucks past Colorado’s pinching D and let their young legs skate into space. If the Sharks reach 8–10 rush shots, the upset script gets real.

3. Faceoffs in the offensive zone
   Colorado’s set plays off O-zone wins—low to high, shot with traffic—have been money. San Jose must tie up, collapse quickly, and box out the far-post tip.

4. Special teams swing
   Colorado’s top unit is lethal when the bumper touches flow; San Jose can survive by forcing touches to the flanks and winning the first clear. One special-teams goal either way may be the margin.

Lineup notes and usage trends

• Colorado top six: A first line built around pace and a right-side finisher, plus a second line that can grind below the dots. Expect heavy offensive-zone starts for both, with defense pairs rotated to keep a puck-moving threat on every shift.

• San Jose top nine: Youth up front drives offense; they’ve mixed veterans on defensive draws and let the kids chase mismatches off changes. Watch for quick shifts after icings to spring fresh legs.

Goaltending lens

• Colorado: The netminder’s handling outside the crease is quietly vital—sharp touches can short-circuit San Jose’s dump-and-chase. First shot tracking has been crisp; second looks are the stress point.

• San Jose: Depth saves matter. Limiting rebound chaos against Colorado’s point shots and back-post dives will decide whether long Avs cycles become actual danger.

Three numbers that will tell you who’s winning

• High-danger chances (5-on-5): If Colorado clears double digits, they’re dictating.

• Rush attempts for San Jose: ≥8 keeps this a coin flip into the third.

• Defensive-zone turnovers by the Sharks: ≤6 is the survival line against Colorado’s forecheck.

What to watch next period

• Colorado’s push after TV timeouts: The Avs love a set-play burst right out of breaks—watch the first faceoff after each stoppage.

• San Jose’s counter off won board battles: Quick middle kicks (bump passes to the slot) have nicked Colorado this season when the weak-side winger lapses.

• Debut shift (if Makar dresses): Expect a short, simple first look—chip in, finish a check, get off clean. If that goes well, he’ll see another in a kill or matchup pocket.

Avalanche vs Sharks is already playing to type: Colorado’s stars creating repeatable danger, San Jose’s kids answering with pace and nerve. If special teams stay level, this may come down to which side wins the slot race in the final ten minutes—and whether fresh legs from a potential debut add just enough energy to tilt a pivotal shift.