Sharks Brutal 7-1 Loss Against Capitals on Home Ice Ovechkin gets his sixth win in a row.

Macklin Celebrini and Dylan Strome battle for the puck during a faceoff at SAP Center on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 (San Jose Sharks photo)

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Sharks have undeniably improved this season, but facing the Washington Capitals proved a harsh reminder of the gap that still remains. San Jose suffered one of its toughest defeats of the year, falling 7–1 to Alex Ovechkin and the surging Capitals on Wednesday night.

The Sharks entered the matchup on a positive note after opening December with a 6–3 win over Utah (12-12-3). But Washington presented a far greater challenge. The Capitals arrived sitting second in the Metropolitan Division and riding momentum with five road victories already on the season.

Washington seized control early, scoring four times in the first period. Ryan Leonard delivered a standout performance with two goals and two assists, helping the Capitals extend their winning streak to six games.

Ovechkin added two goals of his own, boosting his career total to 911. Matt Roy recorded three assists, Brandon Duhaime scored and added an assist, Dylan Strome chipped in a goal, and goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves in a composed effort.

Pavol Regenda scored the lone goal for San Jose late in the third period. The Sharks have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games and struggled to find stability in net throughout the night. Yaroslav Askarov surrendered four goals before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, who provided steadier play but little relief against Washington’s relentless attack.

The Capitals struck first at 8:25 of the opening period when Ovechkin jammed in a rebound at the left post. Sonny Milano doubled the lead less than two minutes later with a one-timer from the left circle.

Leonard opened the scoring in the third period just 1:03 in, bursting down the left wing, slipping past defenseman Timothy Liljegren, and lifting a backhander behind Nedeljkovic to make it 7–0.

San Jose broke through at 12:58 when Dmitry Orlov’s point shot deflected off Regenda’s skate and into the net. Washington challenged for goaltender interference, but the call on the ice stood.

Despite that late blemish, the Capitals left San Jose with one of their most complete wins of the season, powered by Ovechkin’s scoring touch and Leonard’s breakout performance.

The Sharks now embark on a five-game road trip (Dallas, Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia) before returning home to host Calgary on Dec. 16.

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro: Sharks playing .500 hockey getting solid offense from Toffoli

Left to right the San Jose Sharks John Klingberg (3), Will Smith (2), Macklin Celebrini (71) and Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrate a goal against the visiting Utah Mammoth at SAP Center on Mon Dec 2, 2025 (San Jose Sharks photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 On Macklin Celebrini and what he’s done and what the latest report on performance.

#2 What impact did Tyler Toffoli have on the outcome of the game against the Mammoth on Monday night, given his two goals and two assists?

#3 How did Will Smith’s performance — scoring two goals and adding an assist — reflect his recent hot streak and affect the Sharks’ momentum?

#4 What role did Macklin Celebrini play in setting up scoring chances, and how significant were his three primary assists for this win?

#5 How did Yaroslav Askarov’s (8-2-0), goaltending (31 saves) 2.96 GAP, save percentage 910, contribute to the Sharks’ ability to secure a 6–3 win over the Mammoth?

#6 With the Sharks scoring three goals in the second period (including one by Adam Gaudette), how did that burst affect the flow of the game and what did it say about San Jose’s ability to capitalize on momentum?

Join Len Shapiro for the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Toffoli, Smith lead Sharks to statement victory over Utah 6-3

San Jose Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates his goal with teammate Macklin Celebrini (71) during the first period of their game against the Utah Mammoth on Monday, Dec.1, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

By Lincoln Juarez and Ryan Hannagan

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Tyler Toffoli and Will Smith both net two goals en route to a dominant Sharks 6-3 win over the Utah Mammoth Monday night. The sleepover line of Smith, Toffoli, and Celebrini combined for 4 goals and 10 points in front of Yaroslav Askarov who turned away 31 of the 34 shots he faced.

The Sharks are coming into December after having their best month of November since 2019. The Sharks and Mammoth came into Monday night’s contest with identical records of 12-11-3. Yaroslav Askarov got the nod for the Sharks between the pipes.

After a rough start to the season he has been completely dominant and turned his numbers around. In November alone, he finished with a 6-1-0 record with a .944 SV% and 1.87 GAA. Coming off a loss in their recent game to Vegas, in a game where they nearly had a comeback, the Sharks looked to get back into the win column.

The Sharks got off to a quick start with tough pressure creating a snipe goal from Tyler Toffoli not even five minutes into regulation. Shortly after, San Jose scored a power play goal by Pavol Regenda in his season debut, his first as a Shark.

Regenda scored seven points in 19 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) before being recalled to the Sharks with defensemen Vincent Desharnais being placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. Two goals in the first eight minutes for the Sharks was an ideal start to the month of December as the ice was tilted one side early.

A quick response from Utah with Lawson Crouse finding the back of the net made it 2-1 just under the halfway point of period one. The ice got tilted the other way after Crouse’s goal in a first period that saw momentum shift easily. Yaroslav Askarov refused to let Utah tie the game with a few high danger, great saves before the halfway mark of the period.

Despite Utah’s push, Toffoli found the back of the net right off an offensive zone faceoff to push the Sharks lead back to two goals. When asked about what went right in his first four-point night since 2023 Toffoli simply replied, “Couple good bounces early on, (and) Smitty dancing I think”. After allowing three goals on ten shots in thirteen minutes, Karel Vejmelka was pulled and Vitek Vanachek got thrown into the fire that was the Sharks offense.

JJ Petereka got the Mammoth back within one with 16:00 left in the first off a picture-perfect top shelf snipe.

After nonstop, fast-paced action in the first, it was a 3-2 Sharks lead.

Will Smith opened up the scoring in the second with a highlight-reel goal just under seven minutes in to give the Sharks their two goal lead back. Adam Gaudette backhanded a shot past Vanacek off a nice feed from Eklund, extending the lead to three with 8:25 gone in the period. Smith got his second goal of the game and period in his second game in a row with two goals.

The Sharks led 6-2 after a second period in which they dominated Utah. “We’ve talked about it since really day one of second periods in the National Hockey League is a really good opportunity to drive transition, and we’re starting to figure that out there a little bit”, said coach Ryan Warsofsky. He spoke highly of the three goal on 13 shot performance he saw in the second.

In the third period Dmitry Orlov was shaken up by an interference from Michael Carcone sending the Sharks to the powerplay against the 15th ranked Mammoth penalty kill. Team teal was held scoreless while allowing Lawson Crouse’s second goal of the night, short-handed at 7:30. San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play but didn’t need the man advantage to bring home a win.

At the end of the night, the Sharks went home with a good feeling in their guts, a difference compared to the sour taste in the mouth the Mammoth had on their plane ride out of the Golden State. The Sharks record now moves to 13-11-3 and they hold the first wild card in the West.

Sharks Rally But Fall 4-3 to Golden Knights

San Jose Sharks center Will Smith (2) scores a goal on Las Vegas goaltender Carl Lindbom (30) in the first period at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sat Nov 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Tomas Hertl, Colton Sissons and Mitch Marner scored for the Golden Knights. Carl Lindbom made 18 saves for the win. Will Smith and William Eklund scored for the Sharks. Alex Nedeljkovic made 20 saves in the loss.

The Sharks made it back to a one-goal game, after falling behind 4-1 in the second period. After the game, Sharks defenseman John Klingberg said: “That’s a good team over there. They’ve been good for a lot of years. I think we played with them. There was a few scenarios in the second where we got beat and that’s how we probably lost the game.”

Alex Nedeljkovic described the beginning of the game: “They were on top of us in all three zones. They really didn’t give us much time and space. They didn’t give us a chance to breathe.” In comparison, at the end of the second, he said “Finally, we played fast, we were moving away from the puck and creating our own space.”

Will Smith scored the first goal of the game at 7:04 of the first. He caught a neutral zone pass from Tyler Toffoli then skated into the zone and snapped the puck past Lindbom on the glove side.

Tomas Hertl tied the game at 16:13 with a wrist shot from the slot. Assists went to Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Hutton.

At the end of the first, the shots were 9-7 Vegas. There were no penalties called in the first.

Vegas jumped out to the lead at 5:36. Colton Sissons poked the puck past Nedeljkovic. Assists went to
Keegan Kolesar and Cole Reinhardt.

Mitch Marner made it 3-1 less than two minutes later. Marner used a wrap-around on Nedeljkovic’s stick side. Assists went to Brett Howden and Mark Stone.

Tomas Hertl added another at 12:38 on the power play, deflecting a shot by Mitch Marner. An assist also went to Jack Eichel.

Will Smith scored his second of the game on thew power play at 14:40. With a neat little move along the boards, Macklin Celebrini knocked the puck free and Smith met it in front of the net.

With 25 seconds left in the period, William Eklund carried the puck in and scored with a backhand. Assists went to Adam Gaudette and Mario Ferraro.

In the second period, the shots were 10-9 Vegas. The Sharks took two penalties in the second and they had one power play.

A scoreless third period saw just five shots per team. A single penalty was called, at 19:25 to Brayden McNabb for cross-checking Macklin Celebrini while the Sharks played with an extra skater. A close finish but no cigar for the Sharks.

The Sharks next play on Monday back in San Jose against the Utah Mammoth at 7:00 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks battle Knights at T Mobile in Vegas Saturday night

San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) hits the ice as the Vancouver Canucks left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) chases the puck in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Nov 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 Can Macklin Celebrini continue to set up scoring opportunities and drive the Sharks’ offense against the Vegas Golden Knights defense Saturday night?

#2 Will William Eklund and Will Smith connect on the power-play and generate enough chances to break through a tight Knights penalty kill?

#3 Can Adam Gaudette deliver a clutch goal or game-changing play to give the Sharks an edge — especially if the game stays close late?

#4 Can goalie Yaroslav Askarov continue to go well with a strong goaltending performance to keep the Knights’ top scorers under control?

#5 On the blue line — how will veterans like Dmitry Orlov or John Klingberg handle the Knights’ speed and puck-movement? Can they limit high-danger chances and protect the net effectively?

Mary Lisa does the SJ Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez: Canucks-Sharks battle in gritty tight game; Number one star Askarov key to 3-2 San Jose win

San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund (72) scored his sixth goal of the season in the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center in San Jose on Fri Nov 29, 2025 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov stopped 32 shots and allowed two goals in the Sharks 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Arena in San Jose.

#2 The San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks played a tight game on a Black Friday matinee. The game was mostly played in a one goal difference.

#3 Lincoln, let’s talk about that first period with the Canucks Bruce Boeser scoring the game’s first goal for his ninth goal of the season making it 1-0 at 4:28. The Sharks Will Smith scored tied up the game at 1-1 at 9:25.

#4 In the second period the Canucks Elias Patterson scored his eight goal of the season at 3:04 to break the deadlock making 2-1 Vancouver. The Sharks William Eklund scored his sixth goal of the season at 14:03 as the Sharks tied it up 2-2. The Sharks added another goal taking the lead when Adam Gaudette scored at 15:17 making it 3-2.

#5 Lincoln last few seconds of the game the Sharks Macklin Celebrini was hit for a cross checking Celebrini was unhappy about the cross check penalty and said some choice words to the on ice official going to the penalty box and was hit with a unsportsmanship conduct penalty.

#6 Then three Sharks were in the penalty Barclay Goodrow cross checking, Ty Dellandrea roughing joining Celebrini with 1.9 seconds left but the Sharks were able to pull it off coming away with a 3-2 win, improving their record to 12-10-3.

Lincoln Juarez does the San Jose Sharks podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Hold On 3–2 After Massive Last-Second Brawl Erupts at the Tank

Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks scores a goal against Yaroslav Askarov #30 of the San Jose Sharks in the second period at SAP Center on November 28, 2025 in San Jose, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks returned home after a brief road stint where they made a stop in Colorado to play the NHL’s number one team, the Avalanche. The Sharks played their worst game of the season, losing to the Avs 6-0 in a game where nothing went right for them in a brutal showing. 

On Friday, the Sharks looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Vancouver Canucks to the SAP Center for a 1 p.m. puck drop. The Sharks won a thriller on Friday as they defeated the Canucks 3-2 in regulation. 

In the first period, it appeared the Sharks were picking up right where they left off in Colorado. The Canucks got out to an early lead as Brock Boeser snuck one past Yaroslav Askarov at the 4:28 mark to start the game. However, the Sharks answered back shortly thereafter as Will Smith buried one in the net at the 9:25 mark of the game to tie the game. Alex Wennberg and Macklin Celebrini assisted on what was Smith’s eighth goal of the season for the Sharks. The Sharks managed to get 12 shots on net in the first period as the Canucks managed only eight, with the game tied at one going into the second period.

In the second period, the Sharks put some pressure on the Canucks after Vancouver scored a quick goal to go back up 2-1 at the 3:04 point in the game. From then on, it was all San Jose in the second. The Sharks tied the game back up at 2-2 when William Eklund scored at the 14:03 mark in the game to get the crowd back into it. Eklund’s sixth goal of the season was assisted by Macklin Celebrini and John Klingberg. The Sharks kept things going as Adam Gaudette scored just over a minute later at the 15:17 mark in the period. Initially, officials ruled it was not a goal, but after review it was determined the puck did cross the line before Vancouver could kick it out. Gaudette’s goal, his sixth of the season, was assisted by Philipp Kurashev and Tyler Toffoli. The Sharks landed seven shots on net in the second period compared to Vancouver’s 13. Through the first two periods, the Canucks had 25 shots on goal, followed by the Sharks with only 19. It had been a nice bounce-back game by Yaroslav Askarov at that point after he allowed five goals to the Avalanche in not even two periods on Wednesday night.

In the third period, the Sharks did a good job neutralizing the Canucks offense. However, the Sharks committed some undisciplined penalties, two of which were by Dmitry Orlov. Orlov’s second penalty came with 4:23 to go in the game as San Jose desperately needed a penalty kill. The Sharks killed that penalty, but the drama wasn’t over yet. Macklin Celebrini, with 1:24 left in the game, was charged with a double minor for cross-checking and unsportsmanlike conduct. From my vantage point, neither of the penalties was warranted, and the crowd broke into “refs you suck” chants that filled the SAP Center. The Sharks managed to weather that until 1.9 seconds left in the game when a massive fight broke out on the boards just behind the San Jose goal. Initially, it seemed the game was over, but the referees put 1.9 seconds back on the clock and issued a series of penalties. San Jose was issued two minor penalties, and the Canucks were charged one, as the Sharks had Macklin Celebrini, Barclay Goodrow, and Ty Dellandrea all in the penalty box to end the game. Yet, the Sharks won the face-off and killed the last 1.9 seconds to win the game 3-2. The Sharks finished the game with 24 shots on goal as Yaroslav Askarov saved 32 of the Canucks’ 34 total shots.

Up Next: The Sharks will travel to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights at 7 p.m. PST on the second night of a back-to-back.

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro: Sharks no match for NHL’s best Aves in 6-0 shutout

San Jose Sharks rookie star Macklin Celebrini (71) waits for linesman Shandor Alphonso to drop the puck as the Sharks were pummeled by the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in downtown Denver Wed Nov 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (11-10-3) ran into a buzz saw at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night getting blown out 6-0 by the NHL’s best the Colorado Avalanche (17-1-5) for their tenth win in a row.

#2 One of the keys to shutting down the Sharks offense was former Shark and current Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood who stopped all 26 San Jose shots.

#3 The Avalanche didn’t waste any time scoring early twice in the first period and later three times in the second period.

#4 In watching the Avalanche they completely dominated in this game the Sharks couldn’t even get in the back end of the net and the Sharks looked like that old struggling team again.

#5 Len, the Vancouver Canucks come into San Jose on Friday talk about how you see this match up coming off this tough loss on Wednesday night.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Buried by Avalanche, Shut Out 6-0

Remember this guy in net that’s former San Jose Shark now Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood whose doing just fine between the pipes for Colorado delivering a shutout against his former team the Sharks at the Ball Center in Denver on Wed Nov 26, 2025 (AP new photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were shut out 6-0 by the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The win was the tenth in a row for the Avalanche. It was also the 12th loss in a row for the Sharks in Denver. Ross Colton, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Malinski, Josh Manson, Joel Kiviranta and Artturi Lehkonen scored for the Avalanche. Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves for the shut-out win. San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic made 21 saves on 23 shots in relief. Yaroslav Askarov made 15 saves on 19 shots before being relieved.

“We were chasing it, right from the drop of the puck. Fast, physical team. They put us on our heels early,” said Sharks Head Coach, Ryan Warsofsky. “We got waxed, they’re a great hockey team,” said Macklin Celebrini. “That’s the best team in the League and that’s where we want to be. So it just kind of shows how much work we’ve got to do and put in to get to that level,” said Sam Dickinson.

Ross Colton gave the Avallanche an early lead, just 3:39 into the game. Colton came out of a neutral-zone scramble with the puck, skated in and snapped the puck past Askarov.

Nathan MacKinnon doubled the lead with a power play goal in the final minute of the period. Cale Makar set up MacKinnon’s slap shot after Gabriel Landeskog won an offensive zone faceoff.

The Sharks took two penalties in the first, and were outshot 15-5 by the Avalanche.

San Jose seemed to push back to start the second period but were quickly overwhelmed by three goals in quick succession. The first came at 3:44, a shot from the blue line by Sam Malinski. That shot was made possible when Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas won the puck along the boards.

The next goal came from Josh Manson at 4:51. Manson’s shot came from the blue line and went through traffic in front of Askarov. Assists went to Victor Olofsson and Parker Kelly.

Alex Nedeljkovic replaced Askarov after that goal, only to give up one himself just nine seconds later. Zack Ostapchuk went to the left, pushing Zakhar Bardakov off the puck, but leaving Timothy Liljegren to face a two on one. Joel Kiviranta went around him and scored. Assists went to Ivan Ivan and Bardakov.

The Sharks opted to use their time out after that goal. That pause did not produce any goals but it did stem the bleeding. The Sharks took one penalty and drew three to finish the period. San Jose also outshot Colorado 15-11.

In the third period, Colorado pushed back. They outshot the Sharks 16-4. Each team took one penalty. Still, it was not until 16:15 of the period before the Avalanche scored again. Nathan MacKinnon carried the puck into the zone and then passed it to Artturi Lehkonen in the slot. An assist also went to Martin Necas.

The Sharks next play back in San Jose on Friday at 1:00 PM PT against the Vancouver Canucks.

Another great night in net by Askarov paves the way for Sharks 3-1 win over Bruins

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu/AP)

By Lincoln Juarez

SAN JOSE, Calif – Yaroslav Askarov owned the crease Sunday night as the Sharks continued to see scoring from up and down the lineup with Shakir Mukhamadullin’s first of the season. San Jose gained a place in the standings after a big night to end the homestand with smiles all around with a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins.

Looking to win their third game of a four game homestand, the Sharks (10-9-3) matched up against the Bruins (13-10-0). The Ottawa Senators took a close one Saturday night 3-2, but the Sharks hoped to turn the page and beat a good Bruins team on Sunday. San Jose opened up with their second line on the ice which included Alex Wennberg, who was playing in his 100th game as a Shark.

Early offensive pressure and a physical fourth line of Goodrow, Ostapchuk, and Reaves led to a few Sharks power plays. The 10th ranked Bruins penalty kill kept the Sharks scoreless on the power play in the first (0-for-2). However, it was right after team teal’s second try on the man advantage that Shakir Mukhamadullin scored his first goal of the season. It was Mukhamadullin (1) from Mario Ferraro (5) and Barclay Goodrow (2) at 15:53 of the first period.

The Sharks out-shot the Bruins 12-10 in the first period and left the ice with a 1-0 lead.

Things slowed down for the Sharks in the first half of the second period. The Bruins tallied a lot of shots forcing Sharks goaltender, Yaroslav Askarov to stay strong in net. He came up huge with what seemed to be his best save of the night, to keep Boston from tying the game, on a one-time shot by David Pastrnak.

Askarov was also a dominant factor of the Sharks penalty kill as they forced the Bruins to go 0-for-2 on the power play in the second period, while Askarov stopped five Bruin shots down a man.

Boston was held scoreless in the second period and trailed 2-0 heading into the second intermission thanks to Macklin Celebrini’s 14th goal of the season, on the power play, from Orlov (13) and Toffoli (7). Celebrini’s goal was a product of the momentum shift in the second for the Sharks, following Dmitry Orlov’s disruptive hit on Sean Kuraly which led to Ty Dellandrea drawing the penalty for the ensuing power play.

The Sharks defense took charge in the third period in front of Yaroslav Askarov who described his d-men as “unreal” tonight. Every attack by the Bruins in the offensive zone was answered with physicality and tight pressure. Askarov turned away nine of 10 shots he faced in the final period including another cross-crease, one-time save which triumphed over his save on Pastrnak in the second.

It was Pastrnak assisting on Morgan Geekie’s goal to bring the Bruins within one with some time left in regulation. The Sharks stood strong and turned down Boston’s attempt to tie the game. Colin Graf added his name to the score sheet with an empty-net goal to put the game away and send a packed SAP Center home happy.

Askarov stopped 34 of 35 shots he faced and the Sharks penalty kill snubbed the Bruins man advantage as they went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Team teal wrapped up the four game homestand with three wins in an effort to re-establish a home ice advantage in San Jose. “We feel the tank has got some energy back,” said head coach Ryan Warsofsky. “We want to run with the energy and use it as our advantage and make it a tough place to play.” he added as his team has won six of eight home games in the month of November with one left to play.

The Sharks will hit the road before the Thanksgiving break in Colorado to face the Avalanche for the second time this season after their 3-2 overtime win at SAP Center on November 1st.