San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) is all smiles after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers in the first period at SAP Center in San Jose Sat Feb 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Jose, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Sunday afternoon in a critical matchup at SAP Center.

Entering the day five points out of a Western Conference wild card spot and riding a five-game losing skid, San Jose delivered a needed response against an Edmonton team that came in 29-23-8 and third in the Pacific Division.

Shakir Mukhamadullin scored the go ahead goal in the third period, snapping a 4-4 tie and lifting the Sharks to their first win in six games.

San Jose opened the scoring in the first period after killing off an early penalty. Macklin Celebrini capitalized when Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram left the crease to retrieve his stick, shooting the puck into an open net for a 1-0 lead.

The Sharks extended the advantage on the power play midway through the period. Michael Misa scored from in front off a pass from Tyler Toffoli to make it 2-0.

Edmonton answered with a power-play goal of its own. Leon Draisaitl finished a feed from Connor McDavid to cut the deficit to 2-1. Barclay Goodrow restored San Jose’s two goal cushion later in the period, scoring on a rebound to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead after one.

Evan Bouchard brought the Oilers within one in the second period, finishing a setup from McDavid during sustained offensive pressure. Edmonton controlled much of the middle frame, but San Jose carried a 3-2 lead into the third behind steady play from goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.

The Oilers tied it early in the third when Trent Frederick converted a one timer from the slot 2:54 into the period.

San Jose responded less than three minutes later. Alexander Wennberg deked to his backhand and beat Ingram after taking a pass from Philipp Kurashev, putting the Sharks ahead 4-3.

Edmonton answered again when former Shark Jake Walman blasted a slap shot past Askarov to even the score at 4-4.

Mukhamadullin provided the decisive goal midway through the period, firing a shot from the point past Ingram off assists from William Eklund and Misa. This goal by Mukhamadullin comes following his goal saving block, the cherry on top to his effort this afternoon.

The Sharks held on over the final minutes, with Askarov preserving the one goal lead to secure the victory.

The win avenged an earlier overtime loss in Edmonton in which San Jose squandered a 3-0 lead and kept the Sharks within striking distance in the playoff race heading into another key matchup against Winnipeg.