SAN JOSE, Calif. – Bonus hockey hasn't been a disappointment for the Wild this season.
In the five games that have ended in overtime, the Wild has won four of them – improvement after years of struggling when three periods weren't enough to declare a winner.
The team had a chance to continue that trend Monday after sitting even with the Sharks through regulation Monday night at SAP Center.
Instead, the team put on a clunky display in the extra session after losing five of six faceoffs and ultimately fell in an eight-round shootout to lose 4-3 in its first game back after a three-day break.
"You start with the puck, it's hard to get [it] off you, clearly, with 3-on-3," coach Dean Evason said. "It's been a concern for us basically all year, so we gotta correct it."
The team's faceoff issues in overtime weren't an aberration; San Jose had the edge all night, winning 58 percent.
Luke Johnson, who was recalled from the minors to the taxi squad before getting promoted to the lineup Monday to center the fourth line, was a bright spot – going 6-for-7. But overall, the Wild struggled – especially in overtime.
Although the team won the initial draw, it was chasing the Sharks and the puck for most of the 5-minute period because it kept losing faceoffs. That prevented the Wild from gaining possession and really testing San Jose goalie Martin Jones, who made just one save in overtime.
