My 19th NHL Game: Canucks 4, Sharks 3 (SO) (4/11/26)

 The Sharks played their final home game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday, and I was in attendance to witness my tenth and last game at the Shark Tank this season. They hosted the Vancouver Canucks, who are now the most recent team I have seen play in person for the first time and already clinched last place in the entire NHL heading into this game. The all-arena giveaway at this final home game of the season was of a Sharks + SAP Center insulated cooler bag. It was offered in either teal or orange, and I chose the one in teal because it looked better. Moments later, I met S.J. Sharkie again, and unlike the previous interactions I have had with him, this was the first time Sharkie ever tried to eat me, and he was giving out Sharkie’s #1 Fan pins out as well. Sharkie also appeared at and near the section I was seated in at times throughout the game. 

Before diving into the game itself, I want to mention that I caught Elias Pettersson the star forward at the right place and time outside of the Hotel Valencia at Santana Row as he was about board the Canucks team bus to head over to SAP Center that afternoon. I was at Santana Row that afternoon prior to the game for other reasons, and this encounter just happened to be a coincidence. San Jose brought out Internet sensation Will Stephens of Trailer Park Sports Network, who I saw on the concourse near Sharkie and was featured on the Jumbotron a few times during the game. 

The Sharks struck first late in the opening period, when Macklin Celebrini won and controlled the faceoff, then found Igor Chernyshov to score a great goal for his sixth of the season. Early in the second period, Marco Rossi scored on a mostly empty net to tie the game for the Canucks. Yaroslav Askarov ran into his own net from behind while scrambling to get back into his crease, causing Rossi to score and Askarov to push the top of his net over onto the ice. This was not a good goal and a sign of things to come. A few minutes later, the Sharks went back ahead on Tyler Toffoli’s 19th goal of the season, assisted by Sam Dickinson and Michael Misa. Late in the middle frame, the Canucks evened the game at two on a power play goal by Jake DeBrusk. 

Late in the third period, Igor Chernyshov scored his second goal of the game and seventh goal of the season to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Dmitry Orlov. The primary assist on this go-ahead goal was Celebrini’s second assist of the night and puts him at 110 points in his sophomore campaign. While I was hoping this would be the game-winner, the Canucks had other plans, as Teddy Blueger scored on the Vancouver power play to tie it at three and force overtime. This final home game of the Sharks had to be decided in a shootout. Macklin Celebrini scored on his attempt in round two, while Jake DeBrusk scored on the Canucks’ following attempt in the same round. The shootout was officially won by the Canucks on successful attempt by Linus Karlsson in round six, giving Vancouver the victory. 

Yaroslav Askarov recorded 38 saves on 41 shots against for the Sharks in his final home start of the season. It certainly wasn’t his best performance, as there was also one moment during the game in which one of his pads loosened after Tom Villander collided with him. On the brighter side, Sharks legends Mike Ricci, Evgeny Nabokov, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau were all in attendance and located in one of the club sections right above where I was seated. I noticed the former three at times throughout this game, but I wasn’t able to get a good view of Patrick Marleau in that particular club section. Announced throughout this game were the Sharks’ team awards for this season. They are as follows: Macklin Celebrini as the unanimous Player of the Year, Yaroslav Askarov as Rookie of the Year, Mario Ferraro as Media Good Guy, and University of Denver defenseman and Collegiate National Champion Eric Pohlkamp as Prospect of the Year. 

Since it was Fan Appreciation Night, the players and Sharkie tossed t-shirts towards the remaining fans in the building, and some lucky fans received game-worn jerseys directly from the players soon after the game concluded. My visit to the team store came after the game ended as well, in which I purchased a Macklin Celebrini 100 points t-shirt. Overall, I was disappointed that the Sharks were unable to overcome the Canucks in their last home game of the season, but it was certainly a close, interesting, and entertaining contest that was absolutely worth being in the building for. The Sharks are now 7-6-5 when I am at their games, and I am just over the halfway point in my quest to see all 32 NHL teams play in person. In fact, this leaves the Calgary Flames as the only Pacific Division team I have yet to see play in person. Win or lose, it has been a great season for the Sharks, and I cannot wait to make it back to the Tank next season with an improved Team Teal on the ice. Next up, the Sharks play their last three games of the season on the road against Central Division opponents, starting on Monday in Nashville against the Predators at 5 pm PT. 

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 78 Recap: Ducks 6, Sharks 1 (4/9/26)

 The Sharks fell flat against a desperate Anaheim Ducks team in a 6-1 Ducks victory. 

The Ducks struck first early in the opening period on a slick goal by Leo Carlsson, followed by another from John Carlson to extend their lead to two. Anaheim then made it a three-goal game on an easy tap-in goal by Alex Killorn early in the second period. Near the midway point of the third period, the Ducks made it 4-0 on a power play goal by John Carlson for his second goal of the game. With just over seven minutes left in the third period, the Sharks finally got on the board on a great shot by Shakir Mukhamadullin for his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Tyler Toffoli. Soon after, the Ducks added another power play goal from John Carlson for the first hat trick of his NHL career to restore their four-goal lead. Anaheim added one more with a few minutes remaining via Frank Vatrano to complete their one-sided beatdown of Team Teal. 

Yaroslav Askarov started in net for the Sharks in the second game of this back-to-back set, compiling 27 saves on 33 shots against. A few other lineup changes were made compared to last night, specifically Shakir Mukhamadullin, Ty Dellandrea, and Pavol Regenda in for John Klingberg, Adam Gaudette, and Igor Chernyshov respectively. 

Overall, the Sharks did not have much to show for tonight in Anaheim, and they were chasing this one pretty early on. The Ducks were certainly the more desperate team in this contest, as they were looking to snap a six-game losing streak and able to get back into the win column easily. At this point late in the season, with four games remaining, the Sharks would need an absolute miracle in order to make the playoffs this year. San Jose hosts the Vancouver Canucks in its final home game of the season on Saturday at 7 pm PT. This next Sharks game will be my tenth and final game at the Tank this season, so stay tuned for my personal experience post from that last home game of the season coming up next. 

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

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 77 Recap: Oilers 5, Sharks 2 (4/8/26)

 After the Sharks scored the first goal of the game, it was practically all Connor McDavid and the Oilers in this one,  as the Sharks lose 5-2 in their next-to-last home game of the season. 

The Sharks got the start they were looking for, scoring the first goal of the game early in the opening period on the power play via Macklin Celebrini for his 42nd goal of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Will Smith. The Oilers followed that up a few minutes later on a power play goal from Connor McDavid to even the game at one. Late in the first period, the Oilers went ahead on their second power play goal of the night, this time from Vasily Podkolzin. 

San Jose and Edmonton traded goals early in the second period, starting with Jack Roslovic scoring the Oilers’ third straight power play goal of the contest to extend their lead to two. About a minute after, Kiefer Sherwood deflected a shot by Alex Wennberg for his 23rd goal of the season to lessen the Sharks’ deficit to one. William Eklund factored in on this second Sharks goal as well with an assist. The Oilers followed that up with Connor McDavid’s second goal of the game about another minute later to restore their two-goal lead. Soon after, Tyler Toffoli made a fantastic save with his stick on a shot by Matt Savoie that Alex Nedeljkovic got a piece of and nearly trickled into the net. Later in the middle frame, Connor McDavid scored his third goal of the game to earn the hat trick and make it a three-goal game, with this one finding the back of the net after deflecting off of Dmitry Orlov’s stick and going between the legs of Alex Nedeljkovic. McDavid has also factored in on all five Oilers goals in this contest. 

Alex Nedeljkovic made his second consecutive start in the crease for Team Teal, recording 21 saves on 26 shots against. In addition, John Klingberg and Adam Gaudette re-entered the Sharks lineup tonight against the Oilers, while Shakir Mukhamadullin and Ty Dellandrea were healthy scratches. Prior to this game, Laurent Brossoit was named the Sharks' nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy this year. 

Overall, despite scoring first, the Sharks could not stay out of the penalty box, manage the puck well, and contain Connor McDavid and this Oilers offense tonight. On a more positive note, Macklin Celebrini now has sole possession of the third-most points in a season by a teenager in NHL history with 108, trailing only Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky. The Sharks’ second line of William Eklund, Alex Wennberg, and Kiefer Sherwood had a decent outing tonight as well. However, with this loss to the Oilers tonight, the Sharks’ playoff hopes this season took another blow, falling to below ten percent as of now. Team Teal is back in action tomorrow night, traveling to Anaheim to face the Ducks for one last time this regular season at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: TNT, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X, Locked On Sharks 

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 76 Recap: Sharks 3, Blackhawks 2 (4/6/26)

 The Sharks are back in the win column, earning a close and crucial victory in a 3-2 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The Blackhawks struck first via Ryan Donato near the midway point of the opening period. Early in the second period, Michael Misa nearly tied the game, but this equalizer was overturned after the officials determined that the puck was kicked in. Still early in the middle frame, the the Sharks officially tied the game on William Eklund’s 14th goal of the season, followed by Kiefer Sherwood’s 22nd goal of the season later in the second period to take the lead, assisted by William Eklund and Alex Wennberg. San Jose extended its lead to two early in the third period on Will Smith’s 23rd goal of the season, assisted by Collin Graf and Macklin Celebrini, only for the Blackhawks to cut their deficit to one a few minutes later on a power play goal by Frank Nazar. 

Alex Nedeljkovic was back in the crease for the Sharks tonight and had a great performance, compiling 27 saves on 29 shots against. The only other significant lineup change for San Jose in this game was Ty Dellandrea inserted onto the fourth line in place of Adam Gaudette. 

The Sharks absolutely needed this victory over a Blackhawks team that is completely out of the playoff picture, and they were able to get the job done tonight to stay within two points of the final wild card spot in the West. William Eklund had a big game tonight with a goal and assist, while Will Smith now has 100 career points after scoring what was ultimately the game-winning goal at home against Chicago. In addition, with an assist on the game-winner by Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini notched his 107th point of the season, tying Jimmy Carson for the third-most points in a season by a teenager in NHL history. Next up, Team Teal hosts the Edmonton Oilers in its next-to-last home game of the 2025-26 campaign on Wednesday at 7 pm PT, which will be nationally televised on TNT. 

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

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 75 Recap: Predators 6, Sharks 3 (4/4/26)

 The Sharks’ comeback efforts after being down 3-0 weren’t enough, as they lose 6-3 to the Nashville Predators to snap their four-game win streak. 

The Predators jump out to a rather early 2-0 lead on two goals from Filip Forsberg near the midway point of the first period. Later in the first period, Steven Stamkos scored a power play goal to extend Nashville’s lead to three. 

The Sharks mounted a comeback late in the second period, scoring the next three goals to tie it at three through early in the third period. The first Sharks goal of this contest was scored by Nick Leddy for his first of the season, assisted by William Eklund. The second of three consecutive Sharks goals was Macklin Celebrini’s 41st goal of the season, assisted by Collin Graf and Nick Leddy, followed by Alex Wennberg’s 18th goal of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov. 

However, the Sharks’ comeback in this one fell short, as the Predators scored the last three goals via Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Haula shorthanded, and a Tyson Jost empty-netter to regain control of this game and the second wild card spot in the West. 

Yaroslav Askarov received the nod in the crease for the Sharks against his former club, recording 28 saves on 33 shots against. 

The Sharks could not get things going soon enough and generate an extra goal when it mattered most, and the Predators continue to dominate the Sharks whenever they face each other in recent years. San Jose now finds themselves not only two points behind the Predators for the Western Conference Wild Card 2 spot, but two points back of the Kings as well after LA beat the Maple Leafs 7-6 in overtime earlier this evening. While their playoff odds may have taken a tumble after this loss, this particular race for the last playoff spot in the West is far from over, and the Sharks will have more opportunities to earn this playoff spot back. Next up, Team Teal hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App 

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 74 Recap: Sharks 4, Maple Leafs 1 (4/2/26)

 Team Teal continues to roll and has now won four in a row, as they take down the Maple Leafs 4-1 to sweep their season series with Toronto. 

The Sharks struck first early in the opening period on Zack Ostapchuk’s fourth goal of the season, assisted by Barclay Goodrow and Dmitry Orlov. Later in the first period, the Sharks extended their lead to two when a behind-the-back pass from Michael Misa perfectly set up Collin Graf to score his 20th goal of the season. Tyler Toffoli also factored in on this second goal with the secondary assist. 

San Jose made it 3-0 early in the second period on William Eklund’s 13th goal of the season, which took a few lucky deflections off of the backboard and Anthony Stolarz before finding the back of the net. Alex Wennberg and Kiefer Sherwood assisted on the Sharks’ third goal of this contest by Eklund. Later in the middle frame, the Maple Leafs got on the board on a power play goal by John Tavares. 

Early in the third period, both Michael Misa and William Eklund were presented with golden scoring opportunities on a mostly wide open net, but were shockingly denied every time by Anthony Stolarz or, in one instance, the stick of Simon Benoit. This sequence had me thinking, “How did the Sharks not score there?!?” in disbelief. Fortunately for Team Teal, these missed opportunities would have no impact on the end result of this game, as they put this one away for good on an empty-netter by Adam Gaudette in the final minute of the contest. This empty-netter was Gaudette’s 17th goal of the season, assisted by William Eklund and Zack Ostapchuk. 

Alex Nedeljkovic was back in net for the Sharks in the second of back-to-back home games and was absolutely fantastic, recording 18 saves on 19 shots against. In addition, Igor Chernyshov was back in the Sharks lineup tonight after missing last night’s game against the Ducks, while Ty Dellandrea was a scratch as a result. 

Unlike the Sharks’ past few wins, the Sharks were in complete control in their win tonight over the Maple Leafs. Also, unlike their victory over the Ducks last night, the Sharks’ secondary scoring came up huge over Toronto, as each of their goals scored tonight came from their second, third, and fourth lines. Two other major factors tilting this game in favor of the Sharks are the Maple Leafs currently having a down year and the Sharks historically dominating the Maple Leafs whenever they have faced each other in the regular season in the past decade. The Sharks had to take care of business against a struggling Maple Leafs team, and I am so thankful they were able to do so. Next up, San Jose hosts the Nashville Predators in the Sharks’ biggest game of the season to date on Saturday at 7 pm PT. 

Update: The Sharks moved into the second wild card spot in the Western Conference at the conclusion of this game, but it all depended on the final result of Predators-Kings in LA in the final game of the night in the NHL to determine if the Sharks still retain their playoff spot. Fortunately for the Sharks, they still hold onto the Western Conference Wild Card 2 spot after the Predators 5-4 shootout victory over the Kings and control their own destiny in this race going forward. 

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

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Sharks 2025-26 Game 73 Recap: Sharks 4, Ducks 3 (4/1/26)

 Team Teal earns a huge third consecutive win in which they scored the game-winning goal in the final two minutes of the contest, taking down the Anaheim Ducks by a score of 4-3. 

The Sharks got off to a great start to this one, scoring first on a power play goal from Will Smith for his 22nd goal of the season, assisted by Macklin Celebrini. The assist on this first goal gives Macklin Celebrini 102 points on the campaign and moves him into sole possession of the second-most points scored by a Sharks player in a season. Later in the opening period, Ryan Poehling scored to even the game at one for the Ducks. Anaheim went ahead late in the second period on a goal from Alex Killorn to grab its first lead of the night. 

The dynamic duo of WillMack struck again early in the second period, as Will Smith fed Macklin Celebrini to score his 39th goal of the season to even the game at two. Collin Graf assisted on this equalizer as well. However, this tie did not last for long, as the Ducks went back ahead soon after when Troy Terry scored on the rebound from the initial save by Yaroslav Askarov. Moments later, Zack Ostapchuk and Jeff Viel dropped the gloves and fought in a pretty evenly-matched tilt, which was initiated by Ostapchuk in response to Viel’s hit on Tyler Toffoli. With less than two minutes to go, Macklin Celebrini scored a massive equalizer for his second goal of the game and 40th goal of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Will Smith. The Sharks then followed that up with Alex Wennberg’s 17th goal of the season with 31 seconds remaining to pull off another miraculous victory for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini and Sam Dickinson assisted the game-winner by Wennberg, capping off an MVP performance by Celebrini with four points on the night. 

Yaroslav Askarov put up another quality start for San Jose, recording 28 saves on 31 shots against. In addition, Ty Dellandrea was activated off of injured reserve prior to this game and made his return to the Sharks lineup in place of Igor Chernyshov, the latter of which was out with an illness. 

Overall, this is a complete victory for the Sharks, and it might be one of their best games of the year to date. Macklin Celebrini was certainly the best player on the ice tonight, putting the Sharks on his back and carrying them to victory over the Ducks, and bringing his point total to 105 in his sophomore campaign. The Sharks also now find themselves one point out of the second wild card spot in the West with 77 points. They are right behind the LA Kings, who currently occupy the second wild card spot in the West with 78 points. How this Sharks team is able to string together wins in this critical stretch of games for them in their push for the playoffs is nothing short of incredible. They are back at it tomorrow night, hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Sharks’ final game against an Eastern Conference opponent this season at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: TNT, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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