San Jose Sharks lose 6th straight

So just how badly are the Sharks reeling right now? Not only do they have their longest losing streak in 15 years, but also the young Edmonton Oilers paid a visit Thursday and had a blast at the Sharks' expense.

Taylor Hall, the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft, scored twice and added an assist, and Devan Dubnyk made 41 saves in the Oilers' 5-2 victory, their second win in 11 games.

"It was a fun night," said Hall, who has 14 goals and 12 assists in 42 NHL games. "It could have been a huge night, but first and foremost we played well as a team and got the win."

The Sharks, who got power-play goals from Joe Thornton and Ryane Clowe, certainly are not having any fun. They have lost six straight overall and also have dropped six in a row at home. The Sharks lost seven straight during the 1995-96 season.

Thornton has six goals in his past 34 games after scoring five in his first eight.

"It probably sounds like a broken record, and there's not a lot to say," Clowe said. "Maybe we just have to get it together. Right now there are no easy games."

Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Linus Omark also scored for Edmonton, which ended a three-game road losing streak.

Many in the sellout crowd began heading for the exits after Edmonton took a 3-0 lead late in the second period on Hall's first goal, which was awarded after a review of the shot. He poked the puck into Niittymaki's glove, and it slid out and barely crossed the goal line.

The remaining crowd booed the Sharks off the ice at the end of the period, and not many were around when Thornton scored on an assist from Dany Heatley in the first 6 minutes of the third period.

"I'm the leader of this team," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "It's my responsibility to make sure they are prepared to play. Right now, I'm not doing a very good job."

Ales Hemsky had four assists for the Oilers, giving him 10 points in his past eight games. Omark scored his second goal of the season and his first in nine games.

"They're still a pretty high-powered team," Penner said. "I'm sure they'll find it. They had plenty of opportunities to put the puck in the net tonight."

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle