Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith before puck drop on April 6, 2026 at SAP Center (Sharks Media)

By: Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks overcame a slow start and a highlight-reel play from Connor Bedard to rally past the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Monday night, keeping their postseason hopes alive in the final stretch of the regular season.

Chicago struck first in the opening period after Bedard dazzled through the neutral zone, weaving past defenders and circling behind the net before sending a pass into the slot. Ryan Donato capitalized on the rebound at the right circle, finding himself in the right place at the right time to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead against a Sharks team that struggled defensively early.

San Jose responded in the second period with a much more aggressive and composed effort. William Eklund ignited the comeback with a strong defensive play, stripping the puck and racing in alone before finishing on a breakaway to tie the game 1-1.

The momentum continued to swing in favor of San Jose as their forecheck intensified. Kiefer Sherwood added to the surge, converting on a sequence created by sustained pressure, with assists credited to Henry Thrun (or Graf if applicable) and Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks’ ability to dictate pace and win puck battles led to another tally later in the period, turning a once-flat performance into a multi-goal response that gave them control heading into the third.

Early in the final frame, Will Smith extended the lead, scoring just over three minutes into the period to make it 3-1 and further cement San Jose’s turnaround. Chicago had an opportunity to respond on the power play, but despite generating chances, they were unable to break through consistently. While the Blackhawks managed to apply pressure, the Sharks held firm enough to prevent any meaningful comeback.

Goaltending and improved defensive structure in the final two periods proved decisive for San Jose, who limited second-chance opportunities after a shaky opening 20 minutes.

With the victory, the San Jose Sharks remain in the hunt for a Western Conference wild-card spot as the regular season winds down. The race remains tight, with the Los Angeles Kings currently holding the second wild-card position.

San Jose now turns its attention to a crucial matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night, a game that could significantly impact their playoff chances with just a week remaining in the season.