Three takeaways: Logan Couture felt fine after minor surgery

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SAN JOSE – Despite controlling most of their game with the Senators, the Sharks dropped a 4-2 decision on a late goal in regulation Wednesday night at home. The three takeaways from the defeat…

1 – Couture looks good despite minor surgery

Logan Couture scored his seventh goal in 10 games, a power play marker in the second period, and didn’t show any ill effects despite having a screw removed from his right ankle on Saturday. He finished with one shot on goal, five attempts and was 4-for-10 in the faceoff circle in a little more than 19 minutes of ice time.

“I felt fine,” he said after the game. “Took me a little while. Just [at the] start of periods it was a little sore, but once the game got going, I felt fine.”

2 – Sharks had their legs despite layoff

The coaching staff’s decision to give the Sharks a full weekend off from practice over the weekend looked like the right move in that the players had their legs for the duration of the game. Ottawa was rarely in its offensive end, and its 17 shots on goal was a season-low in shots allowed for San Jose.

“We never really felt like we were out of it,” Joe Pavelski said. “They get a couple early and [we] never felt overwhelmed. It was just about staying with it, finding that first one, and going. It was important that we got that next one when it was 2-0. We got moving. Felt in control the whole way.”

Justin Braun said: "It takes a second to get back into it, but I thought we did a pretty good job as a team to come out and get on the forecheck right away. First shift we were in there. I thought we had some good chances early.  To hold them to [17 shots] the whole night after a break like that is pretty good."

3 – Stagnating offense

Despite all the time they spent in the Senators’ end, including six power plays, the Sharks only managed to beat goalie Mike Condon twice. The Sharks’ offense still seems like it’s missing something, sitting in 23rd in the league with 2.38 per game.

At some point, some of the Sharks’ depth guys are going to have to start putting the puck in the net. Nearly one-third of the schedule over with, it’s getting to be the time of year where only the results matter.

"I think we did everything but find a way to win,” Pete DeBoer said. “But at the end of the day, moral victories don't count in the standings. I thought we did some good stuff, but didn't find a way to win."

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