San Jose Sharks
Askarov Almost Holds Off Avs With 38 Saves, But Sharks Lose 4-2
DENVER — The San Jose Sharks take on the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Timothy Liljegren and Philipp Kurashev scored, but the Sharks lost 4-2.
Period 1
1 in: Not an ideal start for the San Jose Sharks, win the opening faceoff, but Ferraro pass to I’m not sure who, and they’re chasing to start, punctuated by an Askarov side to side save on MacKinnon one-timer.
Askarov on the ball to start, off Celebrini low to high turnover, Olofsson has a Grade-A.
Kelly penalty: Sharks needed this bad. Got to get some “mo” from this.
It looks like, Celebrini as point man, that the Sharks have gone away from the drop pass as their go-to PP entry option. Celebrini is QB’ing in a “five-man swing” up the ice. That’s a change, because usually it would be Klingberg dropping it back to Celebrini. There was an offsides on this PP, wonder if guys are getting used to this five-man connected entry. Funny enough, Sharks have a mid-range PP, whereas Avs, in one of the NHL’s great mysteries, have the second-worst PP in the league.
San Jose Sharks need to start playing with belief again. Warsofsky mentioned that maybe today, before Edmonton, they were chomping at the bit to beat the Oilers. Have lost that a little, got get that back.
Nelson penalty: Another power play will help, but gotta do something with it. When they do drop, Celebrini is still the top option.
Wennberg penalty: Way to kill any possible PP momentum. Sharks kind of need to get out of this period scoreless and regroup. They still seem far from their game, which would be trying to dictate pace on yes, the vaunted Avs.
5 left: Sharks finally generating some offensive momentum, started with what looked like a Celebrini crossbar, followed by second and third line forechecks. Listed as a miss on the play-by-play sheet. Graf had a post though just now.
Sherwood penalty: No. 44 holds Burns. A lifetime ago, that would mean something different for Sharks fans.
Best period that Askarov has played in a while. Sharks should be down a couple goals.
Nice bounceback, let's see if he can keep it up
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 5, 2026
Period 2
Lehkonen goal: Wennberg was eaten up on the forecheck, two Avs. Granted, no help. Klingberg and Graf manning center lane, maybe they could’ve shouted? Guess ideally, he just clears it out, but that’s all Sharks have been doing tonight.
Like the last game here, difference of quality between two teams is striking. Only difference is Askarov’s magnificence so far.
9 in: That’s got to advance to the next Shark from Goodrow. Not just him, of course, San Jose Sharks have been hemmed in all night.
Bardakov penalty: Feels like the Sharks are down by three, but they’re not. This power play has to do something.
PP just playing, executing slow. Did end with a no-look pass to slot from Orlov to Kurashev, but Blackwood’s got it.
6 left: Sharks tired, hunched over, sticks on knees, icing, just can’t make that exit pass out or that clean entry.
5 left: Celebrini hasn’t been precise tonight either. Sharks forecheck actually creates a turnover, but soft Celebrini pass up the middle gets claimed by an Av.
Lehkonen goal: Sharks just not there, Eklund has a snatch of space in high slot, and he simply overskated the puck. This led to an Avs’ 3-on-2, Eklund skated hard to recover, Orlov evened it up, but Lehkonen trailed and no one picked him up. Think that was Misa’s man.
3 left: Someone loses Kiviranta in front, big Askarov save. Looks like Orlov and Celebrini don’t sort out the switch properly. Avs 31-12 shots.
1 left: Nice demonstration of how Misa’s straight-ahead speed has improved, he was right on top of Toews there. That’s a Team Canada defenseman that he surprised with his quickness.
Period 3
Liljegren goal: Simple but effective. Underrated will be the crisp exit pass by Klingberg to Wennberg past the Avs forechecker. Not an easy one at all, to put it in stride for Wennberg, a stick close to deflecting it. Then Wennberg has clean entry, low to high, Liljegren hammers it, think it deflects.
Kurashev goal: Great individual play! Kurashev takes it from Girard high. Breakaway. Graf does a great job to drive the middle, Malinski mauls him, but it provides space for Kurashev to have a one-on-one with Blackwood, who he beats.
4 in: Great diving effort by Sherwood to force Makar out of zone. That’s what you like to see.
7 in: Terrific Celebrini bounce pass off wall to Smith’s speed, Smith has an open shot.
9 in: Superstar exchange there, Celebrini backchecked it off MacKinnon, then MacKinnon came back and hit Celebrini took it back. Right before that, Sherwood backchecked with ferocity and won it back, led to a Sherwood blast. This is what we needed to see from the Sharks earlier.
9 left: Celebrini post! Wow! Now this is what you hope a Sharks-Avalanche playoff series looks like.
8 left: Wennberg rush chance almost gets into Orlov’s wheelhouse, still gets a shot off. This is what Sharks want.
Manson goal: That one wasa blast, Askarov has played so well, shame that’s the one that goes in.
6 left: Example of Celebrini can’t escape the defensive attention. He tries, but Avs all over him, front and back in NZ.
Nelson goal: That’ll do it. Celebrini had a chance off the draw but went high and wide.
Very underwhelming Sharks debut from Sherwood. On the empty net goal he was coasting out of the offensive zone and lost the race to the puck off the indirect pass from Celebrini.
If Smith would have moved his feet a bit more he could have closed on Nelson and perhaps taken his stick. Or he could have put his body between Nelson and the net?
Either way, the ENG wasn’t the problem with the game.
Saw that play and I think he was too far away to stop Brock from a clean shot on net. Looked a lot closer on the replay than he actually was to me but the lack of desperation isn’t a great look even if that is not what cost us this game.
Im not saying the officiating was but it felt a bit off kilter to me albeit I could just be bitter from being teased a bit by The Sharks in the third 🤷🏻♂️
If you’re referring strictly to Smith, yes the appearance of a lack of desperation is definitely a concern for me. The guy is a good hockey player. Stats back that up. However, his style of play drives me nuts sometimes. It would be great to see him appear to put out more effort…physically. Skate harder. Try and knock a player off the puck rather than make one or two half hearted poke check attempts then back away. Maybe this is an area of his game that will take him a couple of more seasons to develop/improve on? Or, maybe it… Read more »
I think he still needs to develop physically. I think he uses his stick more because he’s more confident in that ability to create a turnover. But yeah he might be the classic hide in the weeds type of player who isn’t a great defensive stopper.
Sees that way!
I hear that loud and clear.
He’s more of a Legolas and I think we wanna see a bit more Aragon from him 🤓
Think he is still feeling out the NHL game but damn the kid can shoot the puck and can make the “impossible” pass that could make (or brake) a playoff series!?
He will never be a Hertl type player but I think he will engage more with time and confidence!
I once was blind, but now I see! What a difference Kiefer Sherwood makes. Wow. He does all the things that don’t show up on the scoresheet, you know? At least he better, because he didn’t do shit on the scoresheet, playing on a prolific top line. Maybe the problem is that they put him on Macklin’s line, but both of them drag the other players into the fight. Maybe you can only have one player on a line that drags everybody into the fight. Maybe guys that drag people into the fight are like magnets and if they’re on… Read more »
Holy heck pal, it’s been one game.
This is how he enjoys the Sharks. Bitchin and complaining is his happy place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGwkyzmPmA
💪
What are you even talking about?
Sir, this is an Arby’s.
I was somewhat skeptical about Sherwood, too. But it’s one game and he just came back from an injury. Even the diehard analytics geeks would tell you this is not a sufficient sample size.
lol!
Sharks can keep changing personnel on the PP1 unit but nothing’s going to change if you continue to have a static PP that doesn’t move the puck quickly. System is a much bigger issue than personnel.
Yes, I think this is true. Watching both teams, the biggest difference I can see is the precise puck control the Avs have in keeping the puck moving with precise passing. The Sharks are sloppy bunglers and their defensemen are nowhere near league standard. They are busy grappling while the Avs are busy passing. Everyone looks like Steph, constantly skating, never standing around looking at the game. Sharks have a long way to go. Sherwood-I like his banger attitude. He’s not afraid to hit and mix it up. But I saw nothing to think he is elite like some think.… Read more »
lol! No one here thinks he’s “elite”. Nice straw man…
You projected him to score around 25 goals the rest of the season if he plays with Celebrini.
Did I say 20 or 25? I’ll take your word for it. Clearly he needs to be healthy and play for that to happen. He’s played how many games…? Oh, 1… against the best team in the league. Didn’t look all that healthy to me last night. But hey I don’t want to interrupt your long walk off a short pier. Please continue with your happy outlook on life buddy.😁
Eye test comparing good PP teams and the Sharks prove your point. Also, I noticed that Sharks after entering OZ slow down in the middle of it like waiting for arriving train when all players are already in OZ. This makes the PP look slow as well and gives opposing team to adjust, so it’s definitely the system.
The positives , Sharks show life in 3rd to tie it, Asky was better than his last 6,7 starts. Winter break, the boys probably need it
that was absolutely a goal in period 2. The replay was definitive. I guess they didn’t like the angle of it. But it was clearly across the line.
Anyway, Sharks played a respectable game against an elite team. Nice to see Askarov have a good game, its been a while.
Wouldn’t have counted either way. Gaudette pushed Blackwood into the net. Would have been goalie interference.
Yep, knocked in by COL’s own player into Blackie’s pad, which was well behind the goal line.
Saw something from the NHL that basically said the reason it was no goal was because the ref told the replay room he’d blown it dead before the puck crossed the line.
Or ..
the ref pulled a Monica…
“Intent to blow”
the longer you leave him in, the more chance of losing games. He needs to get a lot better.
Back to monitoring Tankathon…
Was I suppose to be impressed by Sherwood? Cause I could have sworn I heard he brings a “different” element the team is missing. All I saw was more like last years’ Shark team…
Sherwood may be one of these Albatrosses/late bloomers since he only had good last 2 years. Even Colorado passed on him after he had a decent season which was not enough to convince them longer term. But lets wait, it’s just one game after injury and with new players around.
lol! Chicken Little should be the mascot for this comment section.
Yep!
That’s gotta be the best dis that you throw around!
There’s no middle ground. It’s either “we’re going to the playoffs, yay!” Or “ this team is shit, fire the coach and GM!”. It’s dumb AF.
Yeah, kind of a bi-polar bunch
No doubt.
Certainly the overreaction on Sherwood is ridiculous, and I count myself as one of the people skeptical about the trade.
Sherwood wasn’t initially supposed to be back this early. I doubt he wasn’t actually 100% healthy yet but he probably wanted to get in a game before the long break. Now he’s got plenty of time to heal. He’s not going to be a savior, but he should be a physical improvement and goal scoring improvement over guys like Graf.
I really didn’t expect Sherwood to light things up last night. First night back from an injury layoff. Minimal practice time with new linemates and team. Altitude (it’s a thing)…and while I understand Warso may have wanted to test drive his new guy I’m not sure he did Sherwood any favors by throwing him on the top line right away. Much like your position at the beginning of the season to wait 20 games before making a judgement about the team, I’m thinking 5 to 10 games will be needed for Sherwood to settle in. Presuming of course Grier doesn’t… Read more »
Oh nice, you remember my mantra when this place was full Jonestown at the beginning of the season. Yeah, a new player will take a week or so to integrate sometimes. They can’t all be Barabanov who came in and looked like he had been playing with Kane and Hertl for years.
Sherwood is out for 3 weeks, makes his debut with the new team — and its nothing special.
So …?
There’ll be a few practices and more time to integrate coming. Expecting a big game 1 was a bit silly.
Speaking off a bit silly, wasn’t Macklin supposed to play the point on the PP? Didn’t seem like he was there much.
I was expecting more from a guy we gave up equivalent of a late 1st in value to get. For an energy guy I thought his effort level was pretty low tonight outside of like two plays.
He’s learning a new system and he’s getting used to a new team and linemates. Give him a second. If he’s shit after 5-6 games then let’s break out the pitch forks.
Just one game, so lets wait for few more games to make the verdict.
Yup.
Tuff tiddy. This break can’t come soon enough for the Sharks.
Positives: Muk played well again. Kurashev got 1 – he was looking a bit frustrated since coming back in.
Negatives: PP1. This has really been hurting us. Need to find some something, Celebrini cat do it all alone.
You forgot Asky in the positives section. He was brilliant.
Yeah I agree with all this. Take the positive you can. Asky, Shak and Kurashev all looked great to me. People wanting to move on from Kurashev are forgetting the depth wins playoff series. I half wish Celly wasn’t in the Olympics so he could recharge his batteries. He’s going to be wiped out when the Sharks start up again. I think team Canada is going to play the shit out of him.
Sharks have 27 games remaining, that’s 54 points available. A playoff team will need to get to about 95 points. At 58 points, that’s an additional 37 points the Sharks will need to obtain in order to get to 95 points. That is a 18-8-1 pace the Sharks will need to play at to reach 95. What is the likelihood the Sharks can play at this pace? Unknown. Of the remaining 27 games, 16-20 are against teams they could/should beat but will they? There is a path to the playoffs but it is very narrow and must be navigated with… Read more »
The current pace for the last playoff spot in the West is 90 points. Vegas is leading the Pacific and they are on pace for 97 points. Let’s say 92 to be safe because Sharks are lagging behind in regulation wins which is the first tiebreaker. That would require 34 points in 27 games or a .630 pts%. I think that will be tough to pull off especially because we are so reliant on a 19 year old to win and asking a 19 year old to carry that burden over 82 games plus the Olympics is going to be… Read more »
Ah yeah Lucas had it.
I tend to agree. I’ve been watching Celly and his enthusiasm for the game and it surely looks like he’s tired, rightfully so, after carrying the team and 50% of scoring.
He’s 19 and his body is not fully developed for this tough schedule and it starts showing.
His body is very developed. One of the main reasons he stepped into the NHL and did so well at a young age. Dude is a unit.
My understanding is the cutoff this year is closer to 90 points…?
With all the teams in the mix, its simple as this: play good hockey and Sharks get into the playoffs.
There are 8 games against the group of 7 in competition for 4 playoffs spots. I suspect most of the other teams have similar number of contests against the others.
There will be lots of movement. The teams that play well, get in. The Sharks, because of the points missed on this road trip, have a slightly higher hill to climb.
Slightly higher.
Hopefully they do something to solve the defense if only for a couple years (Hamilton?).
SJ Reality: Now 5 pts out of a playoff spot (yes, a game in hand here or there, but also won’t win many tiebreaks). Also…we’re within 6 pts of the four teams immediately behind us. We’re roughly as close to slotting in at #4 in the (pre-lottery) draft order as we are to being in a playoff spot. SJ has the easiest remaining schedule, but LA / ANA / UTA / NSH / SEA have the 2nd / 3rd / 5th / 8th / 11th easiest and we need to pass three of those teams. In other words, a high… Read more »
Yeah if they come out and go 1-3 in the 4 games post deadline, it would be pretty difficult to justify not selling. At that point the Sharks would need to play at a .700 pts% over the final 23 games to make the playoffs and they would be closer to a bottom 5 finish than the playoff race. Personally I’ve continued to take the long view this year and think it would be much more beneficial for the Sharks to get a Top 5 pick and get a guy like Chase Reid than it would be to try and… Read more »
Yeah, I feel the same way. Wasn’t expecting to be where we are – before the season I was hoping we could jump to 70-75 pts but still be in position to draft Verheoff, while keeping an eye on the development of Reid/Rudolph/Lin as fallback options. Now it looks more like we’re an 80-85 pt team, but if we aren’t going to realistically make the playoffs GMMG has got to make the hard (but right) decisions. There may be a chance we can still be in position to draft Reid without winning the lottery, who I think now excites me… Read more »
Yeah I’m actually higher on Reid based on scouting reports I’ve read and listened to. I feel like if they were the same size that Reid would be ranked higher across the board and it’s not like Reid is a small defenseman.
Yeah, Reid’s size isn’t a problem for me, and I think he’s more creative offensively. It also sounds like his D is decent, but I do think Verhoeff is going to be the harder of the two to play against in their own zone. I am also always a little cautious given their specific situations. Verhoeff has been sitting at the top of the rankings for long enough that this is where we often see scouts try to nitpick on certain things because they can’t help but want to move guys around in their rankings, while Reid has climbed the… Read more »
I frankly I’m open to trading the Sharks 1st for the right young Defenseman who can step in and play. Maybe a trade with Chicago or another team who has an abundance of great defensive prospects. Drafting a guy this year isn’t going to reap benefits for maybe 3 years. Celly is ready now. Can’t waste MVP level seasons. Never know when injury may strike (knock on wood).
At this point in the rebuild they should be selling anyone on an expiring contract worth a 3rd or more. They have people to bring up from the AHL to fill any spots. He’ll even bringing Leddy back up to be the extra defenseman until the end of the season is fine with me at this point. Need all the ammo they can get for off season moves to improve the team.
Sharks young players wanted to make playoffs and should get rewarded and enjoy what they fought so hard for, but….but is it all worth it to get in and play 4 games total? At this point they’re as many points from playoffs as from the lottery.
Maybe you should look at the odds Vegas sports book gives for the Sharks to reach 95 points. It’s probably a lot closer to reality than to what fans think.
Any one see that crazy camera angle in the second? My first time seeing that. Looked cool as hell.
The over head? Kinda like the football one…
Except the action in hockey just keeps on going. Such a cool angle.
Yep….almost like drone footage.
Super cool!
See you on the other side. From the States (united?) but all in for team Canada!
The country I would normally be rooting for is banned from sports for invading another country, so I think rooting for Wenny and Sweden.
Thought Sherwood looked great in the 3rd had a few shifts that flashed what he can bring and I gotta say I really liked it