San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (33) saved 24 shots and allowed two Columbus Blue Jacket goals. Macklin Celebrini (71) in the foreground approves at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sat Mar 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 Saturday. The win ended a six game losing streak for the Sharks. Igor Chernyshov and Macklin Celebrini scored the Sharks’ goals. Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves for the win. Denton Mateychuck and Cole Sillinger scored for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves in the loss.

Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic talked about the win after the game:

“Tonight, minus thirty seconds there at the start, the rest of the game I thought we were all over them, we took it to ‘em, played hard and I think wore ‘em down. It’s what opened up that lane for Smitty there to make that pass and Cherny’s got an unbelievable release, an unbelievable shot so it’s good to see it go in for him today.”

Macklin Celebrini crossed the 100 assists mark on Saturday, reaching that goal faster than any other Sharks draft pick who started his career with San Jose.

The Blue Jackets scored first with a goal from Denton Mateychuck just 31 seconds in. Mateychuk scored with a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle. An assist went to Adam Fantilli.

Igor Chernyshov tied the game late in the period. He scored with a snap sot at 17:17 from inside the faceoff circle. Will Smith got an assist.

The first period shots were very close, 9-8 Blue Jackets with no penalties called.

Cole Sillinger gave the Blue Jackets another lead at 12:09 of the second period. Ivan Provorov got an assist. That was the only goal of the middle frame. San Jose outshot Columbus 18-8 and there were just two penalties called, one per team.

Macklin Celebrini tied the game again 51 seconds into the third period. His power play goal came from a shot high in the zone. The puck came to him on a quick play after the Sharks won the faceoff. Assists went to Dmitry Orlov and Alexander Wennberg, the winner of said faceoff.

Chernyshov scored his second of the night, the game-winner, at 18:35 of the period. The puck found him at the end of a quick play off the rush. Assists went to Celebrini and Will Smith.

The Sharks next play on Monday at 7:00 PM PT at home against the St. Louis Blues, kicking off a six-game homestand.