The Sharks got a shot in the arm with the return of Macklin Celebrini on Tuesday night as San Jose hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center. The spotlight has been in the rookie forward but on this night goaltender Vitek Vanecek was the man of the hour. Vanecek made a career high 50 saves to help the Sharks take a tight 2-1 overtime win.

When Mike Grier and Ryan Warsofsky drew up the kind of wins they expected their team to win, Thursday night may have been a blueprint for that plan. Playing in a rare home game on Halloween, the Sharks had one of the young prospects show his teeth by scoring the first goal of the game and then bag the game winner, while their defense held off a tenacious opponent in a gritty 3rd period to take a tight 3-2 win.

The Sharks made a trade on Wednesday, sending defenseman Matt Benning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with a conditional 2025 3rd round draft pick and a 2026 6th round pick in exchange for defenseman Timothy Liljegren. The Sharks get a younger blueliner who was a former 1st round pick (17th overall) of the Maple Leafs in 2017.

On paper, Tuesday nights Sharks match up with the Los Angeles Kings favored the guests from Southern California. San Jose hasn't been exactly lighting it up and their first win of the year less than 24 hours earlier on the road setup a tall order for the Sharks. The Kings hadn't played since Saturday and sit in the 5th spot in the Western Conference. So go figure when the Sharks outplayed the Kings in the 3rd period and sweated out a 4-2 victory to extend their win streak to two games.

When the Sharks became the first team in NHL history to open a season winless through their first 9 games in consecutive seasons, it was easy to throw in the towel. When they went down 4-1 to the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night it was almost a given that the streak would reach 10 games. San Jose surprised everyone in Salt Lake City with an improbable comeback that included 3 goals in a span of 110 seconds late in the contest, followed by a game-winning goal in overtime to take a 5-4 decision.

The Sharks painful start to the season continued down the path of misery on Thursday night. Their Southern California sojourn ended with their 8th loss of the season and second to start their 4-game road trip. The Los Angeles blitzed the Sharks in the opening period by scoring 3 goals in the frame, then held on for a 3-2 victory after a late push by San Jose. The Sharks continue to struggle as they try and lose the distinction of being the only team in the NHL without a win this season.

Over the past two October's, the Sharks are a combined 0-13-3 after they dropped a frustrating 3-1 decision to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. San Jose lost all 9 games in the opening month of play last year, and have started their current campaign with a 7th consecutive defeat. That bad news is magnified by the fact that the latest loss came to a team that isn't expected to make any noise in the Pacific Division this season.

It took last season's Sharks team 12 games to win their first game of the season. This year's roster may be on their may to matching that underachievement. The Sharks hit the halfway point of that mark by dropping a 4-1 decision to the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center on Sunday night. The Sharks misfired on a handful of power play chances which took the pressure off a Colorado team that has been slow out of the gate themselves.

The Sharks wrapped up their 3-game road trip on Friday night with a game less than 24 hours after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks. While it may be hard to understand how players can have tired legs 5 games into the new season, but the Sharks played like they had tired legs tied together. The host Winnipeg Jets scored 4 times on the power play and pummeled the Sharks 8-3 at Canada Life Centre in the most lopsided contest of the season.

The Sharks did not win their first game last season until their 6th contest of the campaign. They dropped their 4th straight to open the current season with a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night following a lifeless start that would doom them early. San Jose gave up the first 3 goals of the season and sputtered the rest of the night in catch up mode.

The Sharks hit the road for the first time this season, starting with a stop in Dallas on Tuesday night. Having won their fist three games to start the season, Dallas looked to extend their winning ways against a team still learning how to compete in the NHL. San Jose played a controlled game, extending a 2-2 tie to overtime and eventually a shootout before dropping the game in the skills competition.

After a wild opening night loss the Sharks tightened things up defensively on Saturday night as the Anaheim Ducks came calling. That focus allowed them to limit the opposition's scoring, but that defensive focus also translated to a lack of offensive chances that they could capitalize on. In the end, Anaheim was able to solve the Sharks defensive posturing and hold on for a 2-0 win in their season debut.

The Sharks could not hold onto a three-goal lead Thursday night and ended up losing in OT to the Saint Lous Blues in the season opener. Still, a great time was had by the fans in the stands, for the most part. At least that’s how I saw it, despite the Shars wilting late in the game.

The Macklin Celebrin and Will Smith era is underway in San Jose. After the Sharks selected the pair with their first draft picks in each of the last two NHL Draft events, San Jose fans finally got a chance to see the offensive pairing on NHL ice in a game that counted. Celebrini did not disappoint, but the rest of the Sharks wasted a big 2-point night by the rookie. San Jose failed to protect a 3-goal lead, allowing the St Louis Blues to convert three scoring chances in the 3rd period before Brayden Schenn scored in overtime to stun the SAP Center crowd 5-4 on opening night.

With the start of the 2024-25 NHL Season, the staff writers at LetsGoSharks.com submit their predictions for each division race, playoff qualifiers, conference finalists, conference champions and Stanley Cup Champion. Some surprises, some not so much. Whatever the case, this how we think the season will play out. Check back in June to see how we did.

Sharks General Manager Mike Grier has had a tall task the past two seasons, trying to revive his team from the depths of the NHL's standings basement. It's been tough sailing on the west coast the past four seasons and a botched reset three seasons ago finally forced Grier's hand into diving into a full scale rebuild. The moves Grier has made the last 24 months have been hit or miss, but the move to chasing the rebuild with a youth movement got a big injection of adrenaline when the Sharks acquired goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov on Friday.

The worst kept secret in hockey was exposed on Friday night when the SanJose Sharks selected top prospect Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. Celebrini has been the consensus number one pick for months and the Sharks used their selection to bring home their former Junior Shark by taking him at the Sphere Las Vegas.

The 2023-24 NHL season has mercifully come to an end for the San Jose Sharks. With a full scale rebuild in progress, the Sharks limped through the majority of the year armed with little talent and even less motivation to compete in the Pacific Division and Western Conference. They closed out the year with one final whipping, this time at the hands of the Calgary Flames who pummeled the Sharks 5-1 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday night.

The Sharks wrapped up their regular season home schedule with one final tilt at SAP Center on Saturday night. They rewarded their fans with much of the same bad hockey they played in the previous 40 games on home ice this season. The Minnesota Wild piled on the Sharks, taking a 6-2 decision before a rare sellout crowd.

If these late season games are an opportunity for guys to audition for spots on the 2024-25 roster, too many Sharks are missing a chance to make a mark. With 8 games left in the season, the Sharks did little to compete against a Los Angeles Kings team that's fighting to retain their spot in the upcoming playoffs. The Kings scored goals 18 second apart in the opening period, and held on to take a 2-1 decision at SAP Center on Thursday night.

The Sharks miserable season took one step closer to finality with the Sharks closing out their 3-game home stand with a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars at SAP Center on Thursday night. The Sharks tried to make a go of it against the high-powered Stars offense, but in the end, San Jose was simply outclassed by a team vying for the top spot in the Western Conference.

When Devin Cooley was acquired at the NHL Trade Deadline on March 8th, the Sharks were bringing home one of their own. The goaltender was not only a native of the Bay Area, but he was a product of the Junior Sharks development program. Saturday night marked Cooley's first start on SAP Center Ice in Sharks sweater. It won't be one that the kid will soon forget. After taking a 4-0 lead over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, the Sharks would go on to squander their big lead and lose it 5-4 in overtime.

After getting annihilated by the Nashville Predators to end their 5-game road trip last Tuesday night, the Sharks were focused on cleaning up lots of issues. They did that for the first 40 minutes of Thursday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Problem is NHL games are 60 minutes. Tampa Bay snapped out of a 40-minute funk and scored 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period to send the Sharks to their 6th consecutive loss in a 4-1 tilt.

The Sharks wrapped up their 5-game road trip with a demonstration of why they are a cellar dweller and why their hosts, the Nashville Predators, extended their standings point streak to 15 games on Tuesday night. San Jose held a 2-1 lead in the game before the Predators went on a scoring streak, potting the game's final 7 goals. It was an ugly end to the trip which netted San Jose 5 regulation losses.

The Sharks continued their tour of Pennsylvania on Thursday night with a stop in Pittsburgh. San Jose hung on for 40 minutes, but would allow three 3rd period goals to fall 6-3 to the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Magnus Chrona made 25 saves in the loss. Klim Kostin, MArc-EDouard Vlasic and Mikael Granlund all had 2-point games.

As the post trade deadline fog begins to lift and the Sharks try to get to the finish line of this lost 2023-24 NHL season, the Sharks hit the road for the first of five games away from SAP Center with a stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Not unlike most games this season, the Sharks can't outscore their opponent and fall for the 41st time in regulation by dropping a 3-2 decision at Wells Fargo Center.

When the Sharks signed Tomas Hertl to a massive contract a couple seasons ago, knowing this probably would mean they couldn't keep Timo Meier, I thought they'd chosen the wrong player. Well, now neither player is still with the team.

With the NHL Trade Deadline hours away, the Sharks got some clarity on their roster situation by learning that winger Anthony Duclair had been dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday afternoon. They then proceeded to play like half the team had been traded, losing to the New York Islanders by a 7-2 tilt at SAP Center.

When the Sharks dropped their 3-2 shootout decision to the Dallas Stars on Saturday it planted a seed of belief. It proved they could compete with top tier teams. They got their chance to build on that on Tuesday night as Dallas came calling. That seed was doused in oil, wrapped in gasoline and blown up with a stick of dynamite as San Jose let a 3-goal 3rd period lead slip through their fingers to eventually fall 7-6 in overtime on a Roope Hintz goal.

The Sharks are using the final 24 games of the season to evaluate who is worth keeping, and also showcasing some of their talent for the impending NHL Trade Deadline. Several Sharks proved that the NHL may be bit above them, as San Jose drops a 6-4 decision to the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center. The Sharks scored 3 power play goals in the contest, but they also surrendered a pair of crucial goals on the penalty kill.

As the NHL Trade deadline approaches, some Sharks are rehearsing for a possible move to a team trying to round out their rosters for the playoffs. Some of those Sharks are either unaware of the audition or they're willingly trying to avoid a trade by playing at a level unworthy of an NHLer. After taking a 1-0 lead against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night at SAP Center, then promptly allowed the Devils to score 7 straight goal en route to a 7-2 loss.

When the Sharks sputtered out of the gate to start the 2023-24 NHL Season, one of those gory losses in their first 11 games was a 5-1 smack down by the Nashville Predators. The Sharks have improved since that ugly period, but they would still fall short to the Predators on Saturday night 4-2 at SAP Center. San Jose trailed by a lone goal late, before an empty net tally ended things.

Filip Zadina opted not to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings last summer. He wanted a fresh start. Joining the Sharks, he figured he'd get lots of chances to deliver for team teal. He did exactly that on Thursday night in Calgary, scoring a pair of goals and add 2 assists for a career high 4 point night in the Sharks 6-3 victory of the host Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Sharks returned from their lengthy 2-week break by hitting the road with a stop in Winnipeg. San Jose's offense may have missed the trip from San Jose, as Connor Hellebuyck shutout the Sharks with an 18 save performance. Kappo Kahkonen made 39 saves in the 1-0 loss.

The Sharks have been feeling pretty good about themselves lately. Winners in 4 of their last 5 games, they found a way to cough up a 5th win to close out the season by failing to hold a 3rd period lead, then allowing the Anaheim Ducks to beat them in overtime on a turnover and missed defensive coverage. The 3-2 loss was the last game for San Jose until February 14th when they return from the All Star break.

Back in November, the Sharks traveled to Seattle to play the Kraken, and ended up limping home after getting spanked 7-1 at Climate Change Arena. The Kraken made their first of two trips to SAP Center on Tuesday night and the Sharks exacted a little revenge. Fueled by a 32 save performance by goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks held off a team on the cusp of a wild card spot in a 2-0. The shutout was the first for the Sharks this season.

The Sharks entered Saturday's game with the Buffalo Sabres riding a season high 3-game win streak, and a hot start to the contest looked as if the Sharks might extend that streak. Struggling themselves this season, the Sabres had other ideas, so they dispatched the Sharks with 5 unanswered goals to take a 5-2 victory at SAP Center.

Coming of their 4-3 shootout win in Los Angeles on Monday night the Sharks had their excuse to mail in their game against the New York Rangers. Down their number one defenseman and staring at a 2-0 deficit in the 3rd period, the Sharks went to work on tired legs and chipped away at the Rangers lead. They would extend things to overtime where Tomas Hertl scored a big overtime goal to give the Sharks a dramatic 3-2 win.

The Sharks entered play having won consecutive games only three times this season. They expanded that to 4 with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. They have a chance to win 3 games in a row for the first time this season on Tuesday when they head home to take on the New York Rangers. Logan Couture and Fabian Zetterlund scored goals in the shootout to help pace San Jose who also won for the first time in the shootout this season.

The Sharks got a big jolt of leadership on Saturday night with the return of captain Logan Couture and Nico Sturm. Couture has been out all season with Osteitis pubis, but his presence helped San Jose to a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center. Sturm has been an unofficial captain for San Jose in Couture's absence, so his return also helped San Jose to snap a 3-game losing streak.

Joe Thornton is not the most important player in San Jose Sharks franchise history. He isn't Owen Nolan, who became the heart and soul of a team trying to find its way in the big, bad NHL. He isn't Igor Larionov, who brought a style and tactical elegance to playing hockey that would set a blueprint that was followed until 2020. He isn't even Joe Pavelski, Captain America, who wore his heart on his sleeve and showed that the race isn't always to the fastest or most skilled, but often to those who want it the most.

The NHL's 32nd ranked San Jose Sharks made a stop in Chicago to face the 31st ranked Blackhawks on Tuesday night. It was a grand display of bad hockey, showcasing two teams that can't score or generate much excitement in a game that's made to be exciting. When regulation expired, the game was knotted at 1-1, then neither team could score in overtime. In the end, the Sharks would fall 2-1 in the shootout when Boris Katchouk slipped a puck past Mackenzie Blackwood in the 9th round of the skills competition. No, not Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews or Stan Makita. Boris Katchouk.