San Jose Sharks
Sharks Back, But So’s the Losing: 5 Straight Losses After Flames’ 4-1 Decision
The San Jose Sharks welcome the Calgary Flames into SAP Center.
Tyler Toffoli scored, but the Sharks lost 4-1.
Period 1
1 in: Too aggressive a pinch by Dickinson, I think, not close, he misses the puck, leads to clear-cut Flames 2-on-1 and a Gridin post.
San Jose Sharks have, predictably, good energy to start, but execution isn’t crisp.
10 in: PP1 is Klingberg-Celebrini-Smith-Sherwood-Wennberg, PP2 is Orlov-Misa-Eklund-Kurashev-Toffoli. Klingberg and Celebrini just miss on what should’ve been a routine connection, wonder who’s more to blame, though we know who the fanbase will target. Genuine question though, it was high in zone, should’ve been an easy hand-off, but Celebrini looked too fast for the pass. Pass was like throwing a whiffleball at a moving F-18.
Dickinson penalty: Starts Graf-Wennberg, Goodrow-Ostapchuk up front.
9 left: Big Wolf save on Eklund SH breakaway. Good kill to start, maybe a touch more aggressive?
4 left: Dickinson manages puck well there in DZ, under duress, Flames forechecker on him, hits Smith with the stretch pass, then Celebrini blast on the rush.
2 left: Sharks up 13-6 shots, they’ve had a better period, scoreless though, need to sustain this energy.
1 left: Excellent second line shift, instigated by Kurashev forecheck. Dickinson also had a well-timed pinch, as Flames were lumbering out of the zone. Graf had a couple chances in tight.
Period 2
Toffoli goal: Puck recovery by Misa, low-to-high pass to Ferraro, who finds Toffoli for the deflection. Good vision and feed by Mario. The Sharks could really use a Toffoli hot streak, hopefully the break did him good.
Not too much going on, in terms of offense, but San Jose Sharks seem to be keeping up their energy from the first. I like how they’re playing, just need to find a little finish.
9 left: Woof. Dickinson gets stripped trying to skate the puck up himself, Klapka breakaway, but Askarov is finally beat but Klapka misses. Dickinson has made some glaring gaffes tonight, he might need to pump the brakes just a little with his aggressiveness. You want him to be aggressive, but obviously, there’s a balance, it can’t lead to a clearcut 2-on-1 and a breakaway.
7 left: Off the lost DZ draw, like how Graf sticks with Bahl rolling down, blankets him.
6 left: Tough shift for first line, they get caught behind play, Desharnais gets a little behind a 2-on-1, he’s able to even up but not before Kadri has an in-tight chance, then Gridin. Feels like Sharks haven’t had a decent 5-on-5 chance in a while. They’ll need to re-assert themselves in this game, feels like they have a bigger lead, but they don’t.
Kadri goal: Sharks win the draw, but Weegar stands up Eklund, Ferraro fed it to him at the blueline. That’s another, wonder who you put that on more. Ferraro pass didn’t put Eklund in a great position, but you want the high forward to muscle it out too.
4 left: Finally, some 5-on-5 chances, Graf deflection, Ferraro finds Celebrini in the slot for a one-timer. Big Wolf saves.
2 left: Good job by Sherwood to beat his check for a PP partial breakaway, Wennberg finds him with pass. Another Wolf stop.
1 left: Misa among those with golden chances at end of Sharks’ PP, but Wolf stands tall. Just got to keep at it, they’ve played good hockey since Kadri goal.
Incredible work rate by Celebrini to end period, Kadri tries to line him up and bounces off, then Celebrini prevents Weegar from exiting, leads to a couple chances, Sherwood in tight. Furious last five by the Sharks, more of that in the final frame, please.
Period 3
Kurashev-Celebrini-Graf to start third period
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 27, 2026
Misa line stays the same. Wennberg now centers Smith and Sherwood. Ostapchuk line stays the same.
3 in: Good give-and-go between Misa and Toffoli. Misa’s speed pushes back defense, drop to Toffoli, Misa crashes net for rebound off Toffoli shot.
Zary goal: Not a great change, but still a 3-on-3 coming down. You want Askarov to make that stop, I think. Liljegren and the exiting forward miss a connection too.
San Jose Sharks need to find some desperation here.
Kadri goal: Just poor awareness from Liljegren there. Retrieves the puck, turns around for a quick exit, but Zary right there. Then Kadri puts it in. That’s bad hockey.
Backlund goal: Empty netter, off Celebrini turnover.
Sell Sell Sell. I hope Mike is on the phone all night tonight.
5 straight losses. 3 to teams behind you in the standings. Will Mike Grier wake up and have some common sense or do we need to keep up pretending this team should be added to?
Man… Liljegren had such an unforgivable turnover for the go ahead goal against.
That was the goal to make it 3-1.
Oh thanks. That play was pretty infuriating
Yeah just a horrible play.
Maybe we can get a skate sharpener for him
3-1 goal
Yeah my bad. The rage is clouding my memory 😆
Sorry didn’t read the other reply first. Not trying to pile on.
It was a shame because he had an absolute beauty of a stretch pass not too long before. Then does that giveaway for a goal. He can be a frustrating player to watch for sure.
He’s one of my biggest disappointments this season. The way he played to start the season looked like a guy you would love to have on the 3rd pair even if you were trying to contend. He gets injured and never quite finds his game again.
Well, now that I’ve seen Kiefer Sherwood in person, I get it now I was trying to come up with a comp for him, but I can’t. He’s like Brett Hull if Brett Hull also had it in his game to initiate light contact along the boards a handful of times a game and get credited with hits for them. Then Warsofsky compounds his error in putting Sherwood on the top line by also separating Celebrini from Smith for the third period. Because if he just takes Sherwood off it’s too obvious and he’s gotta be able to cover his… Read more »
I might be alone on this one, but I don’t believe separating Mack and Smith for a while is necessarily a bad thing. It might be benificial for Smith, more than Macklin.
We played some great hockey without smitty
Smith was being punished. Can’t let effort like that just go. That was text book Labanc galaxy brain.
While the Sharks may have lost 4-1 tonight, we did outhit Calgary 33-16 which basically counts as a win in my book #Identity #Grit
The Sharks were 9-6 and averaging 3.7 goals per game when Chernyshov was playing. Since he was removed from the lineup in spite of playing like a legit T6 forward, the Sharks are 2-5-1 and only scoring 2.5 goals per game.
Big bad Wolf literally owns us.Sherwood is a bust. Team is still couple of years away from contending..But hey USA wins gold!!!
Fuck team USA.
Why is this guy not banned?
After a shaky early stretch of minutes, Sherwood played a hard game and had a couple of
grade A’s. You’re simply a trolling idiot. Unfortunately, the Sharks were oddly lethargic
in the third period after a spirited end to the second period. Was there tonight and they laid an egg.
Sherwood has done nothing offensively and has been hurt.Your an idiot and no nothing about hockey
He’s played two games, I do “no” a little about hockey and you apparently didn’t watch the game tonight. As stated, had some shaky early stretches where he seemed to fighting the puck but then got into a groove.
Oh come on, I expect a much more spirited response after his comment. Or do you just save your best for me? ;P
He’s just a wee lad; you and I are in it for the long haul.
🤣🤣🤣🫶😘
He’s played 2 games. One before the break. Sorry bud but that is a dumb take. Also, pretty sure he at least knows how to spell “know”. Maybe you should go sit in the corner until we tell you to come out.
Shit, just realized you used the wrong version of “You’re” too. lol!
Let me fix this for you: “
YourYou’re an idiot andnoknow nothing about hockey.“Class dismissed.
I was hoping someone brought their red pen…😜
This is not a playoff team… at all!
Kiefer, Chevy & Lily need to go, won’t get much for any of them.
Warso doing his best DeBoer line blender routine to zero effect.
That’s 5 Ls in a row w/ ED, WPG & MTL coming up.
Could it grow to 8 Ls? Quite possible…
Every coach in professional hockey blends lines when the team isn’t scoring, especially on a losing streak.
I’ve been watching coaches blend lines for nearly 40 years. Even Bowman did it when the Habs, Pens and Wings were lethargic. Please quit acting like it’s some tactic of incompetence.
Yea, it is funny how many fans complain about the line blenders. I sometimes like to look at other fan pages and fans of every team say the same thing. Sometimes the “line blender” works and the team wakes up and wins.
It’s because fans don’t have to run a line blender on their video games which is there only comparison. Shit we’ve changed line in beer league when guys are having bad days. Gotta believe in pro sports, where the margins are so thin, that any edge can make a difference.
Ahhh shit! “Their”. Now I’m doing it.🤣
Just Need Muk to get into some people.
Bust seriously, the way we played in the first we had no business losing that game.
FFS… I’m so done with Lily and Klinger. Gave them the benefit of the doubt for as long as I could. Sheesh…
I’d add Mario to that list.
And Eklund
Eklund played fine in this game. He’s just not much of a game changer.
I rest my case
That’s a pretty weak case counselor. I’m holding you in contempt.🤣
👍😂 but you said it. Not much of a game changer. Well put and at the heart of the issue. Too many guys who are either not game changers, or change the game for the worse
Yeah, I’m an Ek supporter because of his motor and being pretty good in wrangling the puck but your comment pretty much explains it (and oh how it hurts to agree!).
Aww you can’t take it personally. I agree with you a ton. 😘
Lily is a 7D, basically. Shows some flashes where you’re like, this dude is good, then he’s back to himself.
JK isn’t that bad, man. At least dude has a reason for getting beat. Lily is just plain meh
that bullshit turn and dump in front of the net is some dumb shit I would do in pickup. An NHL defenseman shouldn’t be doing something that dumb.
100% Lilys biggest issue is his hockey sense and contextual awareness. He’s not an everyday D-man or someone that gets above 3rd pairing minutes.
Can’t wait for the growth in the F group aligned to competent defense. The team will be scary af when that happens.
He looked like an everyday D man to start the season. Got my hopes up.
The collective groan last night was palpable along with a few WTF’s.
Unplayable and, I’m afraid, untradeable.
Probably. I hoped for a 3rd maybe because D always cost more at the TDL but I’m not sure any scout is recommending him after that bullshit.
Copy that. Is Kling getting slower by the minute?
Man I don’t know. It’s not even the skating speed, it’s things he should be good at still, good decisions and passing, puck handling…
Kiefer ain’t it. Especially on the first line.
Nope. He was 3rd line in VAN. They’re trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
I didn’t think he was the problem tonight at all… Frustrating game though
He’s the new punching bag without reason.
Who was the old one?
You’re kidding right? Klinger? Delly? take your pick. Wario? The chicken littles have a never ending supply it seems. I’m going to do the same thing I’ve done all season, preach patience at least for the moment. Dude’s played 2 games and who knows just how healthy he is? With him on the first line they dominated early. That’s all I know. It’s really simple. Fix. The. Fuck. In. Defense.
Ok I wasn’t sure because you said “without reason.” Delly I agree. As a founding member of the “Bench Klinger” club (btw we’ve received your application and apology letter. It’s still processing 😉), I have to say that he gave me a “reason” every game. His abysmal stretch in fall was so blatant and obvious that everyone started blaming all our problems on him. And that may have been unfair. But his little bounce backs here and there only continued to mask very real issues, while earning him too much ice time. As a contributing member of the “Warsy hates… Read more »
I don’t think there is a legit reason to shit on Sherwood at this point. He did his job for the type of player he is. Smith was ass and they still were able to dominate. I thing Sherry & Celly may end up being a great combo if they get the time to gel.
I’m not punchin’ on Sherwood. He played primarily on the 3rd line when in VAN. I don’t believe him coming to SJ changes where he likely should be playing, especially if one believes SJ generally has a more talented roster than VAN. Even though he did have a pretty rough start to the game I’m not criticizing his play, in general. I’m critical of where Warso is deploying him. Move him to the 3rd line with Wennberg, which did eventually happen, and give the top line spot to Graf, which also eventually happened. Give that a game or two and… Read more »
A lot of good teams worry more about roles to fill over what fans think about top 6. Most think Eklund is a top 6 player but he’s better served playing 3rd line with a guy like Misa. Celly has been so obviously missing a fast physical forechecker all season. That’s Sherwood. It’s not a square peg in a round hole, it’s the Walmart version of the thing you want from Nordstroms. Right shape, wrong price range. And if he gets guys like Musty, Cherny, Big Tuna, even Smith and Misa to learn how to play physical I’m good with… Read more »
Good analogy, but I want that thing from Nordstroms, and in the words of the infamous Varuca Salt, “I want it now!”.
I’m surprisingly not too concerned with Misa not developing into a physical player. I think he’s already ahead of Smitty in that regard.
Well that’s Tuch from Buffalo. I gotta believe if he makes it to UFA, Grier will back up the Brinks truck.
I don’t believe I said he was the problem. I said he played 3rd line in VAN, which he primarily did, and that it seems they are trying to force him into a top line role, which he may not be suited for.
Sherry got PP1 minutes though I believe?
I finally found the player to compare him to. Tommy Wingels. Wingels had a really nice two season stretch from 2013 to 2015. Below average sized forward who played a physical game and put up about 40pts per 82 games over those two years.
No.
This team has deflated. I’m surprised there are so few posters calling for Chernyshov to get back to the team. They thought Sherwood would be a better choice than Cherny? Cherny and Regenda need to be playing on this team now. That is just for starters. My real concerns are the lack of fundamentals that the Sharks show in puck handling and defense. They don’t pass crisply and often fling the puck haphazardly. The sloppy play alone will block us from a playoff spot. The only bright spot defensively is that Dickinson is getting more comfortable and might even have… Read more »
I’ve been hammering the Chernyshov thing since the moment he got sent down and was mostly argued against that it wasn’t a big deal and he’d be back up soon enough. Sharks are 2-5-1 since then with an offense that’s dried up.
You’re surprised the defense, which has been sloppy all season, is sloppy? Dude…
lots of people have not only called for Cherny to be recalled, but said he should have never been sent down in the first place.
Not enough posters on the bandwagon. After the Olympics, if anyone can say that the Sharks are near being a good team simply doesn’t understand the game. Grier has made mistakes. Warsofsky has made mistakes. But the biggest issue for me are the lack of fundamentals that a team should have. Forechecking, crisp passing, and the ability to handle the puck are primary. This team doesn’t have those skills. It’s like basketball players who can’t hit foul shots, turn the ball over, and lose coverage of their man. No transition game to speak of. Big changes need to take place… Read more »
Dude if anyone has demonstrated a lack of understanding of many aspects of this game this season it’s the guy in the mirror staring back at you.😉
Regenda will be in the next game for sure. But I would not pull out Kurashev for him. I thought Chevy was good tonight, and I thought he had a really nice Olympics too.
Cherny should absolutely be back with the Sharks, but Cuda needs him desperately now, and I’m not sure who you yank..
The way the defense played today, Muk might be our 2nd or 3rd best Dman.
finally if Askarov really wants that shutout he’s jus gonna have to manifest it. Maybe try freezing a puck for once.
I thought Kurashev played fine. Agree he should stay in. Definitely put Gaudette and Regenda in. Hope Misa doesn’t sit. I thought he was fine too. Hope there’s a trade tomorrow.
I think we may expect too much from Kurashev. He needs to score more. Way more to an effective player on this team. The jury is still out on Mukh. Are we ever going to break up that miserable 4th line?
We expect too much and then say he needs to score more.. 🤣 holy shit man, do you even read what you post?
Except him with Celly and Smith dominated early.
This is simply not a playoff calibre team. Grier should be considering selling a few of the vets like Klingberg, Gaudette and Reaves. No chance anyone takes Goodrow but maybe a contender gets desperate enough.
Guadette has another year on his contract. Unlikely he gets traded. Same with Goody.
There isn’t another team in the league that would let Goodrow take the ice for them.
I don’t think that’s true. If he were making league min I bet someone grabs him for playoff experience. Especially a team new to the playoffs. He has those “intangibles”. But yeah if it’s up to me I would play Regenda in his place.
Snark, any thoughts why the inconsistency in playing Gaudette? He’s had some sneaky good moments this year and I feel he deserves more consistent playing time even if on the 4th line. 4th line needs a little shake up.
No clue. I admit I haven’t paid enough attention to his skating to notice if he’s a liability speed wise? Or if he’s out of position defensively? I always feel like he plays hard and I would throw him at the net on the PP. Maybe even PP1 based on what he did last season with the Sens. I personally like the dude.
Sorry you got downvoted for invoking my name. 😀
So, my theme for the season remains … underreact If there’s ever a game where things can go wrong, its often the game following a long layoff. Which seems like it happened tonight. Wolf was terrific, the Flames didn’t get much in the way of grade A’s, but they did score on them The Sharks and Flames were both sloppy. Sharks outskated the Flames, but not by a lot. There’s a part of me that wants to lay into the coach for sitting Gaudette and Regenda (I’d mentioned this before the game) and for flipping the centers (Wennberg and Celebrini)… Read more »
Thought Misa had a really good game. Fuck tho
Especially for having to play with Eklund and Toffoli. Such a waste
You do realize Toff scored the only goal and their line was actually pretty good?
Yes, a lucky deflection of a pass basically. Their line was decent only because of MM
Mack looked tired (makes sense) Sherwood I thought looked good at times, but clearly his second game with the team. Looks like he’s still figuring it out. I think I’m on team “flip him” though if they can recoup the assets. Misa had a great game, which was encouraging. Smith looked like he partied too much in the time off. Cherny being on the Cuda makes zero sense to me other than they have too many contracts and forwards. Hopefully he’s back in the lineup soon when they sell a couple of pieces. The team has been on a downward… Read more »