Macklin Celebrini celebrates one of his power play goals at SAP Center on Monday Mar 30, 2026 (Sharks Media)

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE –– The San Jose Sharks returned home with momentum and a clear objective: keep climbing and stay in the fight as the season pushes forward. Fresh off a strong win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night, San Jose welcomed the St. Louis Blues to SAP Center looking to build on that success and build they did indeed with a strong 5-4 win.

The first period delivered immediate intensity, featuring goals, penalties, and standout moments on both sides.

St. Louis struck first when Jake Neighbours capitalized on a rebound near the crease, controlling the puck along the boards before setting up Theo Lindstein, who found open space and fired home the opening goal.

San Jose responded quickly on the power play. Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli orchestrated a sharp passing sequence in the offensive zone, leading to Alexander Wennberg finishing with a deft touch in front of the net to even the score.

The Sharks kept the pressure on and took control of the period behind Celebrini’s standout performance. On another power play opportunity, Celebrini combined with Wennberg and Dmitry Orlov, patiently finding space between defenders before calmly burying his chance to give San Jose the lead.

Celebrini wasn’t done. Late in the period, he struck again—slipping between defenders and finishing off a quick setup from the right side—to extend the Sharks’ advantage to 3-2.

The Blues answered in transition after a defensive miscue by San Jose. Neighbours disrupted a pass and connected with Pavel Buchnevich, who capitalized to keep St. Louis within reach.

The second period brought a more physical edge from the Blues, but Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic delivered a series of key saves that helped maintain San Jose’s momentum. The Sharks rewarded that effort with another goal, as Toffoli created chaos in front of the net, allowing Wennberg to clean up the opportunity and extend the lead to 4-2.

St. Louis responded in the closing seconds of the period on the power play. Robert Thomas initiated the play through the neutral zone, linking up with Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway before the puck found Philip Broberg, who finished the sequence to cut into the deficit heading into the third.

The Blues even things out after a penalty called against the Sharks’ Yaroslav Askarov with a Power Play opportunity.In the final frame, the Sharks locked in defensively while continuing to generate chances on the counterattack. Ashkarov remained sharp between the pipes, turning away key opportunities as the Blues pushed for an equalizer. Despite the late pressure, San Jose held firm, managing the clock effectively and limiting high-danger chances.

In the closing moments, Adam Gaudette sealed the outcome as the Sharks secured a hard-fought victory at home.

The Sharks are now two points behind the Nashville Predators, the push continues on Wednesday night at home against the Anaheim Ducks