ANAHEIM, Calif. — Logan Couture gave Sharks territory a crash course on how tough he is on Friday. Unfortunately for the Sharks, his will power fell short of earning the team two crucial points in the standings.

After missing Thursday’s game with flu-like symptoms, Couture rejoined the Sharks lineup in Orange County, logging 20:36 while battling illness to lead the team’s forward group in ice time. Despite his dogged effort, the Sharks lost in overtime, extending their season-high losing streak to five games.

Couture decided to play shortly after he arrived at the Honda Center.

“I was feeling a little energy, so I decided to give it a go,” Couture said as he struggled to amplify his words through a scratchy voice.

Though Couture returned to the ice, Joe Pavelski missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury and Erik Karlsson was sidelined for his 11th consecutive game with a groin ailment. The single point moved the Sharks to within four points of the Calgary Flames for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Here’s what we learned in the Sharks 4-3 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks:

1. Pete DeBoer speaks honestly about the Sharks goaltending issues.

Different game, same problem.

One night after DeBoer called out Martin Jones for failing to come up with a big save in the Sharks 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, he watched a similar narrative unfold just 30 miles down Interstate 5 in Anaheim. The Sharks controlled possession throughout the game, limiting the Ducks to just 20 regulation shots, nine of the high-danger variety (Natural Stat Trick).

But backup goalie Aaron Dell failed to come up with those key-timely saves as the Sharks continue to look for answers in the goal crease with just seven games left on the schedule.

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Let’s be clear: the Sharks didn’t lose because Dell was cooking up marshmallows over an open fire all night. He just struggled to make the big save that Stanley Cup contenders seem to get when they’re tilting the ice against lesser opponents. The Sharks really needed Dell to squeeze the five hole when Adam Henrique blasted a one timer through his legs at 2:41 of the third, breaking a 1-1 tie after a near-perfect penalty kill.

Likewise, if Dell had flashed one of his signature glove saves on Rickard Rakell’s second goal, a 37-foot shot from above the left circle at 15:05 of the third, the Sharks might have rallied for a late win instead of needing Justin Braun’s goal at 17:20 to reach the extra session. In fairness, Dell didn’t have much of a chance on Jakob Silfverberg’s game winner at the 38-second mark of overtime.

Henrique scores on the power play. #SJSharks down 2-1. pic.twitter.com/cFubzXVf41 — Teal Town USA (@TealTownUSA) March 23, 2019

Now, as the Sharks head toward a likely opening-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights, DeBoer finds himself in the hope business. He’s hoping that a team with the NHL’s 31st ranked save percentage (89.14 percent) will finally get some goaltending in the spring.

After he defended his netminding throughout most of the season, DeBoer spoke honestly about the problem in front of him after Friday’s loss.

“I don’t want to sugarcoat it. We had them for maybe six (grade-A) chances and they scored four goals,” DeBoer said. “You can’t lay it at one guy’s feet, but you can’t win in this league with an .800 to .900 save percentage. You know? You can’t. So we’ve got to find a way to get an extra save.”

2. Special teams are playing a role in the Sharks struggles.

Throughout most of the season, special teams have been a bedrock of the Sharks success. Right now, both the power play and penalty kill are struggling, contributing toward the Sharks losing skid.

The power play finally broke out of a 2-for-23 funk at 6:29 of the third when Timo Meier tapped in a Joe Thornton shot that squeaked through John Gibson’s pads. Yes, the guy who’s most guilty of overpassing reminded his teammates of the rewards that can come from simply putting the puck on net.

The #SJSharks tie it up ON THE POWER PLAY! Timo cleans up Jumbo's shot. pic.twitter.com/QH3O3posbV — Teal Town USA (@TealTownUSA) March 23, 2019

The Sharks are struggling with the extra man at a time when the penalty kill is suddenly losing its identity, as well. By going 1 for 3 on Friday, the penalty kill is now just 15 for 23 (65.2) percent over its last eight games, dropping it from 10th to 21st in the league rankings.

Though the penalty kill is guilty of letting its structure slip in recent weeks, the recent slump is also tied to the larger problem: goaltending.

“Attention to detail, we’ve lost a little bit of that,” DeBoer said. “Your goalie’s your best penalty killer, too, so we need the big save at the right time.”

3. The loss spoils a historic night.

On a team loaded with scorers, Braun ended up netting the goal that made the 2018-19 Sharks the most offensively-prolific team in franchise history.

With his second goal of the season, Braun recorded the Sharks 266th tally, allowing the team to surpass the 265 goals scored by the 2005-06 squad, Thornton’s first with the organization. Keep in mind, this is a Sharks team that features two 30-goal scorers, five 20-goal scorers and 12 10-goal scorers.

Braun ties it up in his 600th NHL game!!! #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/HXYC4I2yAK — Teal Town USA (@TealTownUSA) March 23, 2019

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Home sweet home? Giants, visitors at Oracle Park, tie franchise record in win Braun, who suited up for his 600th NHL game on Friday, chuckled when he learned about his historic goal.

“There’s been a ton of good players through (the years), but this is one of the more-talented groups I’ve been around,” the Sharks defenseman said.

Brent Burns also set a franchise record by earning the secondary assist on Meier’s power play goal in the third. With his 77th point, Burns set a new career-scoring high while breaking his own franchise record for single-season points by a defenseman, beating the 76 points that he amassed during his Norris Trophy campaign back in 2016-17.