Sharks 2025-26 Game 51 Recap: Sharks 5, Canucks 2 (1/27/26)

 Team Teal began their final road trip before the Olympic break by taking care of business handily against the league-worst Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-2. 

The Canucks struck first via Tom Willander early in the opening period, while it was all Sharks moments after. Team Teal’s great response began with Macklin Celebrini’s 27th goal of the season, assisted by Will Smith and Sam Dickinson. This was followed up by Adam Gaudette’s 11th goal of the season from William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini, and Tyler Toffoli’s 15th goal of the season from Alex Wennberg and Sam Dickinson to go up 3-1 just under six minutes into this contest and chase Kevin Lankinen out of the Canucks net. 

The Sharks extended their lead to three in the second period on a power play goal by Will Smith for his 15th goal of the season, assisted by John Klingberg and Macklin Celebrini. Later in the middle frame, Timothy Liljegren and Evander Kane dropped the gloves and fought, with Evander getting an extra two minutes for roughing as well. 

San Jose made it a four-goal game 28 seconds into the third period on a power play goal by John Klingberg for his tenth goal of the season, assisted by Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Later in the final frame, Vancouver lessened their deficit to three on a power play marker by Filip Hronek, but that would not have made much of a difference as the Sharks would win this contest pretty easily. 

Yaroslav Askarov was back in the crease tonight for the Sharks in Vancouver and bounced back significantly from his previous few starts, recording 23 saves on 25 shots against. 

Overall, this is another great and necessary win for the Sharks over a team fully embracing the struggle bus this season. Macklin Celebrini led the way with four points in his hometown of Vancouver, followed by Will Smith with three points and the first two-point performance for Sam Dickinson in the NHL. Next up, the Sharks travel to Edmonton to face the Oilers for the first time this season on Thursday at 6 pm PT. 

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

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