SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks are facing a challenging moment in their season, currently on a five-game losing streak as they prepare for crucial home games against the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. The Sharks entered this season with renewed hope, contending for their first playoff appearance since 2019. However, their recent performance has placed them perilously close to the bottom of the NHL standings, just five points ahead of the 29th-place Chicago Blackhawks.
The Sharks opened their critical home stand on January 27, 2024, with a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, a team not vying for a playoff spot. This defeat not only marked the continuation of their losing streak but also highlighted significant issues in their gameplay. With the game tied at 1-1 in the third period, a poor line change by San Jose led to a goal from Flames forward Connor Zary. Shortly thereafter, a turnover by defenseman Timothy Liljegren resulted in Nazem Kadri scoring another goal, pushing the Sharks further behind.
Despite generating early chances, including 16 shots on Flames goalie Dustin Wolf, the Sharks failed to capitalize. Wolf, a native of Gilroy, recorded a total of 34 saves, improving his record against San Jose to 10-2-0. Notably, when Macklin Celebrini does not score, the Sharks have struggled, holding a record of 1-12-2 this season.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to maintain momentum, stating, “We had good energy, liked our start, did some really good things. But when you turn over a couple of pucks, you change the momentum of the game.” He acknowledged that failures in execution during critical moments led to the defeat.
Looking ahead, the Sharks have an opportunity to redeem themselves with sellout crowds expected for their upcoming games against Connor McDavid and the Oilers, as well as Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets. Both teams present formidable challenges, especially given San Jose’s struggles to maintain a strong defensive presence. Since the beginning of January, the Sharks have allowed an average of 3.63 goals per game, ranking 27th in the NHL during this stretch.
Warsofsky emphasized the need for the team to improve both offensively and defensively, stating, “We have to score, obviously, to win hockey games. But we have to keep the puck out of our net.” Celebrini, who recently shone as the youngest player at the Milan Cortina Olympics, where he helped lead Canada to the gold medal match, has been a significant focal point for the Sharks. He garnered attention for his impressive five goals and five assists during the tournament.
Fans at the SAP Center welcomed Celebrini with enthusiasm, showing their support during a recognition ceremony for the Olympians. His teammate, Kiefer Sherwood, acknowledged Celebrini’s impact on the team, stating, “He’s driving this ship and this team… everyone’s got to dig in and execute at a higher level.” Celebrini currently ranks as the NHL’s fifth leading scorer with 81 points in 56 games, further solidifying his status as a rising star.
As the Sharks sit with 58 points, they find themselves five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. If the team cannot regain momentum in their next three games, it could prompt general manager Mike Grier to consider trading some of the pending unrestricted free agents before the NHL trade deadline.
Despite the current struggles, the Sharks retain the potential for a turnaround. Sherwood noted the importance of connectivity on the ice, stating, “We’ve got to learn from it, and we’ve got to dig in here. It’s a big back-to-back coming up.” With significant games on the horizon, the Sharks face a pivotal moment in their season that could determine their playoff aspirations.
