Sharks 2025-26 Game 53 Recap: Flames 3, Sharks 2 (1/31/26)

 Team Teal was unable to finish after a great start for a second straight game, as they fall 3-2 to the Calgary Flames. 

The Sharks got off to another solid start, scoring the first goal of the game on the power play via Will Smith for his 16th goal of the season, assisted by Alex Wennberg. Later in the opening period, Morgan Frost scored a 5-on-3 goal to tie it at one for the Flames. Team Teal went back ahead early in the second period on Adam Gaudette’s 13th goal of the season, assisted William Eklund and Michael Misa. Gaudette now has goals in three consecutive games. Soon after, the Flames tied the game once again, this time via Matvei Gridin to make it two a piece. 

Calgary grabbed its first lead of the day early in the third period on a shorthanded goal from Joel Farabee, which would ultimately be the game-winner for the Flames. In the final seconds of this contest, Macklin Celebrini had a prime scoring opportunity to tie and force overtime, but he got robbed by Dustin Wolf with a huge save. 

Alex Nedeljkovic was back in the crease for the Sharks in Calgary, compiling 39 saves on 42 shots against. Late in the third period, Nedeljkovic was slow to get up after laying himself out to make a save and appeared to be injured, but fortunately returned to the crease after being helped off the ice and walking it off. In addition, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Philipp Kurashev made their returns to the Sharks lineup from the injured reserve, while Vincent Iorio was placed on waivers and has been claimed by the New York Rangers in order to create a roster spot opening. 

Overall, it was another frustrating loss for the Sharks after they started this one off well. The Flames played more aggressively, and the Sharks were unable to fully respond down the stretch. On top of that, inconsistent officiating throughout much of this contest did not help the Sharks’ case to win here either. More positively, the Sharks’ third line of Adam Gaudette, William Eklund, and Michael Misa has been clicking as of late. The Sharks have two games remaining on their current road trip and before the Olympic break, and their next game is in Chicago against the Blackhawks in a must-win matchup on Monday at 5:30 pm PT. 

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

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