The Sharks couldn't get it done in their home opener after splitting two games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in Sweden to start the season. After being up 2-0 in the first, they gave up four unanswered goals and couldn't recover, giving the Thrashers their first win in San Jose.
Dany Heatley got things started for San Jose at the 15:20 mark of the first period, knocking in the rebound of a Patrick Marleau shot from the left circle. Twenty-one seconds later, Ryane Clowe added a goal during four-on-four play when he directed the puck into the back of the net off of a Torrey Mitchell shot.
Antti Niemi gave up four goals, stopping 24-of-28 shots in the 4-2 loss to Atlanta. Two goals came in the second to tie it when Andrew Ladd put the puck in at the 1:23 mark after a Niemi save went off the skate of Dan Boyle. Anthony Stewart's tying goal in the second came at the 13:58 mark from the top of the right circle and it was something that Niemi should have been able to get down. Stewart came into this game off of his first career hat trick.
Dustin Byfuglien gave the Thrashers the lead with 6:20 remaining in the game on a power play goal, a wrister from the slot off a rebound. Evander Kane provided the insurance goal to put the Thrashers up 4-2, and the Sharks would not get on the board after the first period.
Heatley's first period goal was the 300th of his career. Some questioned the reasoning behind Antti Niemi being in goal instead of Antero Niittymaki, somewhat famous for his ability to make the Thrashers look silly on a regular basis. The goalie situation remains a question mark in San Jose, but it's far too early to be throwing anybody under any buses.