Sharks team groups after the first goal vs. Flyers on Mar 21, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose (San Jose Sharks Media)

By: Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Playoff implications remain on the line for San Jose, and while the margin for error continues to shrink, the Sharks are not eliminated just yet.

The Sharks returned to SAP Center on Saturday afternoon to face the Philadelphia Flyers, looking to bounce back after a 5-0 loss to the surging Buffalo Sabres. With the postseason race tightening, every point carries added weight down the stretch.

A tightly contested first period saw both teams held scoreless, each registering six shots on goal. Goaltending stood out early, with timely saves and disciplined defensive play limiting quality chances. Philadelphia’s physicality, however, was evident, as the Flyers committed three penalties compared to San Jose’s two, setting the tone for a chippy matchup.

The second period brought a shift in momentum. Philadelphia broke the deadlock when Owen Tippett capitalized on a transition play, finishing a setup that originated from Trevor Zegras near the neutral zone. Tippett slipped past the defense and beat the goaltender to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

San Jose responded midway through the period on the power play. Dmitri Orlov found the back of the net at the 14-minute mark, converting a well-worked sequence assisted by William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini. The goal energized the Sharks and briefly leveled the contest at 1-1.

As the game progressed, the physical edge intensified, with both teams exchanging hits and engaging in post-whistle scrums, reflecting the stakes involved.

The third period, however, tilted decisively in favor of Philadelphia. The Flyers capitalized on defensive lapses, scoring three goals, including two empty-netters in the final minutes, to pull away and secure the win.

With the loss, San Jose extends its skid to four games, adding pressure as the regular season winds down. The Sharks will now head on the road for the final stretch of the month, beginning with a matchup in Nashville, where they will look to regroup and keep their playoff hopes alive.