Sharks 2026-27 Game 21 Recap: Penguins 3, Sharks 2 (SO) (11/11/26)

 The Sharks generated a late comeback in the third period to tie the game at two, but could not overcome Sergei Murashov in overtime and the shootout in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The Penguins struck first in the middle of the opening period via a blast from Sam Girard. This occurred on a shot which went off of Yaroslav Askarov’s shoulder on a sequence in which Askarov was screened before the puck found the back of the net. During the midst of the second period, Ivar Stenberg may have scored a possible game-tying goal, but the officials immediately waved it off and confirmed that there was no goal on that play after further review. This was more than likely due to a combination of a high touch and hand pass by Stenberg prior to the puck crossing the goal line. In fact, the NHL Situation Room stated that this goal was disallowed due to Stenberg batting the puck into the net with his hand. 

Near the beginning of the third period, there was a review to determine if the puck crossed the goal line after ricocheting off the backboard, but fortunately for the Sharks, there was no goal on that sequence. A few minutes later, the Penguins extended their lead to two on a power play goal by Ben Kindel. Later in the third period, the Sharks finally got on the board and within a goal on Macklin Celebrini’s eighth goal of the season, which also happens to be his 200th career point. Michael Kesselring and Will Smith assisted on the Sharks’ first goal of this contest. With just over four minutes to go in regulation, Macklin Celebrini fed Mason Marchment in front of the net, who scored his fifth goal of the season and 100th NHL goal to even the game at two and force overtime. Sam Dickinson assisted on this huge equalizer as well. 

The Sharks did not get many scoring chances in overtime, but their best opportunities to score and win came on a breakaway by Sam Dickinson and a late power play with about 42 seconds left. However, San Jose was unable to capitalize on both of these golden scoring chances. For a second game in a row, this needed to be decided in a shootout, in which Ben Kindel scored on the first attempt for Pittsburgh, and the Sharks were not able to get one past Sergei Murashov. This contest resulted in the Penguins staving off the Sharks’ late comeback efforts and earning the extra point in this contest. Yaroslav Askarov had another quality start tonight, compiling 33 saves on 35 shots against. 

It was great to see the Sharks storm back late in the third period to tie and earn a point against the Penguins. However, they would have increased their chances of coming out on top if they got off to a better start, found a way to win in regulation, or received more puck possession in overtime. San Jose's efforts and resilience tonight remains a massive improvement compared to their past several games before Monday. Another significant positive for the Sharks here tonight was Macklin Celebrini, who led the Sharks' comeback efforts with a goal and an assist to become the fifth-youngest player in NHL history to reach 200 career points. In addition, Team Teal is now at the quarter point of their current campaign, holding a 8-11-2 record with 18 points and just two regulation wins. Next up, the Sharks travel to Salt Lake City to face the Mammoth on Saturday at 6 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports California, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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Sharks 2026-27 Game 20 Recap: Sharks 3, Islanders 2 (SO) (11/9/26)

 The Sharks returned home and ended their five-game winless skid in a lengthy battle with the New York Islanders, resulting in a 3-2 Sharks shootout victory. 

The Islanders struck first via Ben Hutton early in the first period. Later in the opening period, Ivar Stenberg redirected a shot from Tyler Toffoli for his sixth goal of the season to even things up at one. Ty Dellandrea assisted on this equalizer as well. Early in the second period, the Islanders went back ahead on a power play goal by Victor Eklund, while the Sharks tied the game at two later in the middle frame on Tyler Toffoli’s fifth goal of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Eric Pohlkamp. Some fireworks occurred near the end of the second period, specifically two fights between Barclay Goodrow and Mitchell Chaffee, along with Ty Dellandrea and Kyle MacLean. These were in response to MacLean laying a hit on Ivar Stenberg after Stenberg dumped a pass into the zone. 

This contest had to be decided in a shootout, where Ivar Stenberg scored the only goal of the skills competition in the eighth round to finally get Team Teal back in the win column. 

Yaroslav Askarov performed well tonight and gained the upper hand over Ilya Sorokin in the shootout, recording 30 saves on 32 shots against. In addition, Alexander Wennberg is back on the Sharks roster from injured reserve, while Filip Bystedt was re-assigned to the Barracuda as a result. 

Overall, this is a massive and relieving victory for the Sharks to snap their rough stretch once and for all. Ivar Stenberg had arguably his best game in the NHL so far, and getting Alexander Wennberg back from injury was a huge boost to this Sharks team. I have also gained more confidence in this being the start of the Sharks turning their season around and getting back into playoff contention. Next up, the Sharks host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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Sharks 2026-27 Game 19 Recap: Stars 4, Sharks 3 (11/7/26)

 Team Teal put up a greater effort in Dallas compared to their past several games, but special teams issues hampered them in a 4-3 loss to the Stars, extending the Sharks' losing skid to five games.

The Sharks got off to a better start to this one compared to their past several contests, scoring first in the opening period via Michael Misa’s fourth goal of the season, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. The Stars followed that up with three unanswered goals later in the opening period from Roope Hintz, Jamie Benn, and Jason Robertson, two of which came on the Dallas power play.

Early in the second period, Ivar Stenberg scored his fifth goal of the season to get the Sharks within a goal. Macklin Celebrini and Eric Pohlkamp assisted on the Stenberg goal, with the secondary assist being Pohlkamp’s first NHL point. Later in the middle frame, the Stars and Sharks traded power play goals, starting with Thomas Harley for the Stars and followed by Will Smith's seventh goal of the season, assisted by Mason Marchment and Macklin Celebrini. 

Alex Nedeljkovic made his first start in a week for Team Teal, recording 26 saves on 30 shots against. In addition, Filip Bystedt is back in the Sharks lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch in last night's loss in Minnesota, while Zack Ostapchuk comes out of the lineup as a result. 

While the Sharks' lackluster penalty kill cost them in their second matchup against the Stars this season, they put together a much greater effort, and more players stepped up compared to their past several games. It is also worth noting that Celebrini set a career high in time on ice in this game with just over 28 minutes logged. With their improved performance tonight Alex Wennberg expected to return to the Sharks active roster within the next few games, these are big signs that San Jose may be able to snap out of their funk sooner than later. Team Teal returns home for their next two contests, starting on Monday against the New York Islanders at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: NHL App, Curtis Pashelka and Sheng Peng via X 

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My 3rd FPHL Game: Falcons 4, Kingfish 2 (11/6/26)

 I made it to my local pro hockey team’s first game of November on Friday night, and it did not disappoint. I normally wouldn’t do this when my Sharks are playing at the same time or their games are overlapping. However, I made an exception here because the Sharks are seriously underperforming at this time and playing in a game that I fully expected them to lose. Enough about the Sharks for now, as for the Falcons, the theme for my third game of theirs this year was Native American Heritage night, in which the team wore specialty jerseys on the ice to pay respects to local Native American tribes. Per usual, these player-worn specialty jerseys were auctioned off for charity after the conclusion of this game. 

I arrived a few minutes after the official first puck drop since I was wrapped up in watching, listening to, and following the Sharks-Wild game that was going on beforehand and simultaneously. I was a bit surprised to see the Kingfish score the first goal of the contest about a minute into the opening period. The Falcons erupted for three unanswered goals in the second period: one from Aaron Huffnagle on a beautiful sequence early in the period and two from Justin Daly later in the period. Late in the middle frame also featured the only major fight of this game. The Kingfish scored once more early in the third period, while the Falcons finished this one off with a goal from Houston Wilson with just under two minutes remaining to win 4-2. 

Other notable highlights of my personal experience at my latest Falcons game were one of the performers of the mini Native American ritual that occurred during the first intermission wearing a Sharks teal jersey with Logan Couture on the back of it, spotting one guy from across the ice repping the new Sharks Hometown Remix jersey, the jumbotron video quality improving compared to the start of the season, and the kiss cam featuring two Kingfish players sitting next to each other on their bench. Overall, this Falcons game went well, was a great time, and helped soften the blow of the Sharks losing to the Wild that same night. It was great to run into and spend some time with an old friend there as well. Stay tuned for a recap of the Sharks-Stars game on CPF Hockey later tonight. 

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