San Jose Sharks
Sherwood Scores Late GWG! Sharks Pull Out 7-5 Thriller Over Habs
The San Jose Sharks welcome the Montreal Canadiens into SAP Center.
Collin Graf and Michael Misa and Macklin Celebrini and Alex Wennberg and Will Smith and Kiefer Sherwood and Adam Gaudette scored, and the Sharks won 7-5.
Period 1
3 in: Kurashev on the forecheck, good steal, centers it to wide-open Sherwood, but looks like Dobes with the big “save”, prevents pass from connecting. Had a pressbox debate with Eric Engels of Sportsnet, Kurashev versus Regenda. Obviously, Goodrow in the line-up, that’s a fan focus. But accepting that Warsofsky (and probably other head coaches) would choose the PK staple and leader to be a consistent line-up presence, it’s an interesting debate between two styles of players in Regenda and Kurashev. Credit to Regenda for bulling his way into his conversation and he impressed people at the Olympics. I was talking to a scout, said Kurashev reminded him of Barabanov, a little good player on a bad team type, if we’re being candid. I maintain Regenda needs another half-step to be an every night guy, but he has clear utility.
Interesting debate, and big picture, we’re actually debating about decent-ish NHL-caliber players being sat out by Sharks. Still traumatized by the days when a Barabanov injury felt like life or death for a weak-ass roster.
5 in: Ferraro a little careless with backhand out, soft, Askarov needs to make a save on backhand shot.
Kapanen goal: Looks like Klingberg touched it? Bad luck for the much-maligned Klingberg. He’s reaching to kill the play, puck rides up his stick, confuses Askarov.
7 left: Not a power play to remember for Klingberg, a couple turnovers or deflected passes high. Proof that numbers do deceive, if you told any Sharks fan over the summer, through 44 games, reclamation project Klingberg would have 10 goals and 21 points, I think every fan would be pumped. And those numbers are real and have helped the Sharks win games. But on the other hand, Klingberg’s inability to establish a consistent baseline of play has been understandably frustrating.
Graf goal: The “Fuck the Analytics” Line lol. And hey, it’s Klingberg who creates the turnover off the lost OZ faceoff, prevents Habs exit on a couple occasions. He slides it to Celebrini, who drops it to Smith, sneaks it to open Graf. No assist for Klingberg but he certainly deserved one.
5 left: Klingberg pinch helps influence another Habs turnover, right to Celebrini in high slot.
Period 2
3 in: Energetic 200-foot kill by Ostapchuk. He’s valued around the league, for sure.
Danault goal: Tons of traffic. Klingberg and Celebrini can’t get it out, then just a simple point shot and traffic.
5 in: That’s what Askarov can do for you. Incredible save, clear-cut 2-on-1, side to side on Kapanen. Starts with a too aggressive F3 read by Misa, pinching, he’s got to cover for his defense, and he wasn’t winning that puck. Puck gets past him and Habs off to the races, it should be 3-1. A lot of consternation about Askarov, some fair, but he’s also in his rookie year plus the talent is so clearly there. I’d rather have a guy who is developing his ability to stop the easier shots, than a guy who can never make the hardest stops. Not saying Askarov will put it all together, but I get the vision from Grier. The ability to win you a series. That’s going to matter one day.
YAROSLAV. ASKAROV. pic.twitter.com/Q48Pv0AaK0
— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 4, 2026
7 in: Askarov again, 2-on-1 down-low on PK, his defenseman sells out to stop the pass, Askarov silences the one-on-one chance.
8 in: Did Askarov make that side to side save on Caulfield? Incredible. Chants of “Asky!”
Misa goal: Great work especially by Toffoli and Misa. Toffoli a great example of not the fleetest of foot, but thinks fast, uses his teammates’ speed to its fullest. This is why he works well with Celebrini. In NZ, Toffoli, off puck muscled out by Dickinson, tap pass to Misa with speed. Misa pushes back the defense, Toffoli finds a soft spot in slot, big chance, big save. On rebound, Toffoli and Eklund crash the net and keep it alive, and Misa swoops in for the kill.
Fun game tonight! This could be a Stanley Cup Final is a few years.
Celebrini goal: I give the SAP Center crowd, new and old, credit. I was looking down as I was typing, but then I could feel the surge of the fans when Celebrini, at full speed, touched the puck, I look up, he rifles it through Dobes. They’re engaged, they’re loud, and they’re back (or here for the first time). Is there anything more exhilarating in Bay Area sports now than Celebrini with a head of steam with the puck?
First time to 30 goals for Celebrini, the first of many
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 4, 2026
Wennberg goal: Great work by Sherwood, absolutely erases Dach, one-on-one puck battle win, finds Wennberg in slot. This is what Sherwood can do for you. This is not a run-of-the-mill bottom-six winger. I don’t know if he’s a $30 million guy, but there’s a reason why Grier and lots of other smart hockey people love the player.
It’s fine if they flip Sherwood, but stop the slander. What an effort. 💪 #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/c9LrUUW2Mj
— SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) March 4, 2026
Period 3
Anderson penalty: Sherwood getting under the skin! Love to see it, draws a penalty. Sherwood was approaching net and covered puck with stick, but never got there, overreaction by Anderson, not a great penalty from him.
Smith goal: On PP, Smith seems to signal high to Celebrini, like give the puck to Orlov, as both flankers are, in contrast, converging down low. Wonder if that was a feint by Smith to throw off PK, or if Celebrini ignored him? Or was Smith signaling how open that he was?
Demidov goal: We’ve still got a game, plenty of time left. Habs’ great puck movement, and Askarov finally can’t catch up to side-to-side one-timer.
Newhook goal: We’ve got a game, for sure. Celebrini rimmed it out, but maybe needed a beat there before he did it, because Graf couldn’t reach it. It then becomes a fire drill, and Newhook walks down the slot alone, all day. Poor coverage after the turnover. Here’s the test now for the San Jose Sharks. They need to close out this game.
7 in: Ostapchuk bullies Matheson off the puck in a one-on-one chase, impressive.
Dickinson penalty: Demidov almost beats Dickinson wide, Dickinson trips him. Man, what a fun match-up of future and present young stars though. Huge kill upcoming.
Newhook goal: That was such a good PK until it wasn’t. Tough luck, center lane point shot bounces off maybe Mukhamadullin? Never gets to Askarov. And there’s a Canadien right at the side, easy peasy. Time to toughen up.
Sherwood goal: Great Kurashev pass! First goal as a Shark.
1 left: Great puck battle win by Ferraro over Demidov, to Misa, who doesn’t (he must) get it out. But good to see Misa out there in a critical 5-on-6 situation! Learning moment.
I went from kinda liking the Habs, appreciating how they did their rebuild, thinking they might be the Eastern team I root for once the Bolts fade into the sunset, to wanting to drink their still-warm blood from a skull. This is gonna become a REAL feud. What a fucking game.
All my homies hate the habs
Same here! They really showed their true colors tonight!
If you’re not playing dirty, you’re not playing playoff hockey.
This is my favorite comment I’ve ever read in the history of comments of anything posted on the internet.
Anderson is a loser. Criminal that he only got 2 minutes for that BS after the whistle against Sherwood
They are in playoff mode in a stacked east. I’m more upset with Eklund for standing there doing nothing while Sherwood was getting pummeled until Mario was able to get there, Eklund has to get in there, grab someone and get his nose dirty. Very disappointing.
Someone would ball Eklund up like a piece of paper and throw him over the glass. Better that he lives to not fight another day.
nice!!
That is a bald faced lie, how dare you sir or madam. He’s not going to be killed he’s just going to come to the aid of his teammate, grab someone and hang on because that’s what you do. I would hate to be your teammate.
Grab someone’s ankles like a toddler…? Nah, rather keep him healthy until they can use him in the trade for a RD.😉
It’s not a lie, it’s an opinion. Get your verbiage correct Esquire.
👍
Montreal has debatably the worst fans in the sport, next to Vegas.
Is there a fanbase with more incessant whining?
Anyway, loved to get that win – especially when Montreal resorted to dirty play and diving to get back into it. That style of play will not work in the playoffs.
I legit burst out laughing at work. (Hi, I’m brand new here and brand new to hockey. Pardon any idiotic questions or comments due to ignorance.)
Welcome to the blog, and welcome to the Sharks fandom!!
Hey thanks! This has been a fun four months!
Oh man!!! What an emotionally charged game, I wasn’t really expecting that from the Habs. They were fucking dirty!!! I was loving it and hating it, it made me wish I could crawl thru my TV and get out there! 😆
Sherwood finally did his thing, and it’s pretty fucking cool! All energy and fire!
I was twitching like an electrocuted marionette that whole last period. Impossible to have chill.
The end was exciting, like way waaay too exciting.
Copy that. I was there last night; what great theater and everything you could want in a hockey game. When Montreal pulled their goal and was putting that final push on, the arena was so quiet w/ tension until the final horn. Absolutely great stuff.
Welp 30 Ms it is then
Did Klinger have a decent game?
Made a few good plays, but definitely got pushed off the puck behind the net on the 2nd goal
Ferraro gets pushed off all the time.
One of his best this season. Made a ton of stick plays and actually knocked a couple guys down for a change. I’m not advocating keeping him but he did more good than bad in this game.
Yeah I think so. I actually like him at 16-18 mins a game.
If they could limit him like Edm did last season he could be more useful.
This is the first game in awhile where he was really physical. Was nice to see. For such a big man he’s pretty soft on the body.
The D is so bad. I hope they can make a long-ish term upgrade at the TDL. Just such incompetence compared to the F group.
He’s very skinny and considering that so much power and leverage in hockey comes from your hips, it’s not surprising that he struggles with the physical side on 2 resurfaced hips. Such a major procedure. I bet he’s playing thru pain every night. Wouldn’t shock me if this is his last season in the NHL.
I highly doubt he’s playing through pain. The procedure fixes the hips, there’s no pain left. Losing some power there is a valid argument, but I highly doubt he has any pain.
Signed, someone who plays hockey with a hip replacement.
He’s said that he is playing through it. The amount of work he needs to do to get ready for a game is phenomenal. Sheng wrote an article about it.
Remember: Hip Resurfacing surgery used to be a career killer years back. Now you have so many players doing it, it’s not the same career killer but he may be the only player that has had both hips done. Miraculous he’s still playing.
Well, that’s Sherwood showing the doubters.
I’m still glad Grier didn’t send out any first-rounders or NHL-caliber prospects for him. I still think two second-rounders is a high price. I still say be careful of over-committing on an extension for him.
But with the team hanging on in the playoff race, maybe you accept an expensive rental as the price of showing you believe in your core group. You don’t want to enter extension talks next year with Celebrini feeling like you stabbed him in the back.
Sherry turned a garden variety one on one forecheck into a goal with pure hustle, physicality and a sweet pass.
Absolutely stunning play by Sherry. Was at the game last night and considering how many yell out loud moments there were, I was screaming “great hustle and great pass” with fiendish glee. I think I’ve been one of the few (while acknowledging his
seemingly sketchy hands-still feeling from injury) that have lauded his motor, his go
and get them and chase down style of play. He move people off pucks and is pretty
relentless for the small sample size of viewing. Watching him do what he did last night convinces me they should NOT be trading him.
About your Klingberg takes Sheng, I think he’s just physically mostly gone. He looks like a 33 year old who has had major hip issues. The quickness and strength is mostly just gone. The fact he’s been able to have a decent season in spite of that is commendable.
He was very good in this game.
If you say so
As a defenseman for nearly 40 years, I know so.
Ah shoot I forgot you’re the only person on this site who has actually played hockey. As such an expert defenseman, I’d love to see you go back and look at goals 1 and 2 for Montreal and tell me what you see from Klingberg and how well he played on those two goals.
Sure seems like it from the some of the dumb ass things guys like you write here. So this is the comment where you thought I owed you something.
First goal he backs in a little too much but that was a function of the Grafs bad stick check attempt that created a poor gap. unfortunate deflection that frankly should have been saved since the speed was taken off the shot. Mostly lucky that the deflection went far corner like that. If you’re shitting on Klinger for that one you’re clueless.
2nd one was the long tip? Yeah he was off his man. Maintained position between his man and the net but a little in no mans land. Still tried to block the shot but didn’t work out. You do get that hockey is by nature a game of mistakes though right? Is that all you got? If educating you was actually in my interest I could go thru this and probably point out probably 20+ things he did that helped the team win. He made way more good plays than bad in this game for a change. But hey I’m… Read more »
He was very good. Just like the rose colored glasses that make you see not see the shit that’s there, there are also shit colored glasses that make you see things that aren’t there. Take off the glasses and watch the game objectively.
He wasn’t and I don’t watch with any color glasses. Go rewatch the 1st period and tell me Klingberg had a great game with a straight face.
Ah… more straw man. Did anyone say “great game”? no. But you need to make shit up to feed your narcissism. You’re simply not qualified to judge someone like Klinger. Go organize your numbers nerd.
Interesting question from Sheng’s comment about Askarov in his game notes. Would you rather have the really dependable goalie who isn’t going to make the incredible saves or the less dependable goalie who can make the incredible saves. I feel like that’s kind of a Ned or Askarov question. For this year I’d certainly prefer Ned. Obviously Askarov is young so like Sheng said maybe having less dependability and more upside is what we want. Goalies are just voodoo as people say. Can Askarov hit his ceiling? I feel like I don’t feel as confident about that now as I… Read more »
you want dependable.
Askarov has another level, but his focus has been his Achilles heel. The ceiling for him elite, and elite goalies are first dependable, but then can also make the big save where it counts. I think he will figure it out.
Agreed, just might not be this season.
I think when Askarov gets NHL competent D in front of him he’ll shine. He has some things to clean up, for sure, but the D in front of him, along with the younger forwards still figuring things out defensively, is just so bad.
Yeah I just don’t know. His issues seem to be much more of his own making than from the defense in front of him. I don’t think rebound control and glove/blocker ability are going to automatically improve if the defense in front of him improves. He actually seems really well suited for leaky defense because he’s so good at moving laterally and making crazy saves. We saw multiple times today where he made great saves on cross ice passes that were left uncovered but then we see him get beat with no screen on an average shot in the high… Read more »
Hard to play a structured game as a goalie when the defensive play in front has so many holes.
Lucas makes good points about non-chaotic times. Seems as is sometimes his focus is less lasered in when it’s not nearly so chaotic,
basically straight on shot attempts.
Klingberg has heart. Best he’s played in a while. Loved him shoving the goalie down after Guadette got slashed. This fuckin team… wow!
Smith actually skated a few times in this one. I’m going to be curious what JD says about the analytics of these lines.
Sherwood with 2 points. You knew it was going to happen soon the way he was playing.
Yup. Good or bad he is giving his every shift, which is awesome.
Forgot to Mention Misa. When he gets his man body he’s going to be a bull the way he charges thru the middle of the ice.
Also, I think it’s clear Sherry has a hand problem otherwise he would have fought after that bullshit behind the net.
Gaudette called him Woody in the post game, so I guess that’s the way the team went with that. Sherry would have been bold though
I use my own nicknames. 😉
Maybe if Askarov would stay in his crease a bIt more and stop turning the puck over behind his net so often he would help himself and the team maintain leads better.
You’re not wrong.
Yeah, he’s way too anxious to play the puck behind the net. Needs to be more disciplined and selective on that action.
We’re only 27 pts out from the President’s Trophy, let’s go!!!
Haha, hell yeah.
Great game. The Habs are my legit #2 team, almost 1A. Sharks wanna blow a 5-2 lead in a few minutes? Go for it, you can’t hurt me tonight. Good to see Sherwood play well and also get on the board. I thought he should have been named #1 star. Celebrini had four points, sure, but he has plenty of opportunities and given the context and that Sherwood had the game winner, I thought the place might go nuts if he got it and got to do some crowd work. On the other hand, once they got to announcing the… Read more »
Al, please go root for the Habs.
🤣
I like this game because you and Snark were both right and wrong.
Almost 1A, really…?
Even when the Tank was in its heyday you didn’t have a lot of people sticking around on a Tuesday night. Weekend games always had more people stick as they’re not rushing out to beat the traffic
I hate the Habs and I hate their whiny ass fans.
Even the “1A” fans…?🤭
Oh come on, do you just like taking the contrarian position to get abused? It’s not as if
the three stars was much see viewing. I was there and stuck around for it but not because I was completely interested, it was because I wanted to bask in the vibe for as long as I could.
There is nothing contrarian about what I said. Please pull your head out of your ass.
Playoff hockey
Well that was fun. I’m not a fan of the Sherwood trade and I’m not a fan of paying him the sort of coin he seems to want. On the first part, I don’t think this is a season the Sharks should push hard for the playoffs. And the contract Sherwood wants, too much tail risk. But those aren’t criticisms of the player. I’m not sure why people thought he was limited player. GMMG got him for a fair price. GMMG’s strategy isn’t the one I’d go with. But given the strategy GMMG has, he is executing it well. I’m… Read more »
Games in hand on all those teams too. Edmonton coming back was rough though
the games over NHL .500 effectively takes out the difference in ‘games in hand’. Somewhat strangely, its actually the same measure all the other leagues use. its not intuitive. If you look at standings in other leagues, they all base their standings on the difference between wins and losses. The MLB, NBA and NFL standings ranking are all based in the measure.
Yeah, but if your team is +4 and another is +5, having 2 games in hand matters. You know if you control your own destiny, which the +/- stat you’re using still doesn’t tell you. Right now, technically the Sharks do because they can sneak ahead of Edmonton, but Seattle has a point on them
I’ve been saying it for years, but I want the NHL to just count wins and losses, with no loser point. Nothing else matters but winning. When the game is played, the goal is to win, and you either win or you don’t win.
It’s infuriating to me that the Sharks have had more victories than the division leaders almost all year, yet have been slipping in and out of a playoff spot. Vegas is in first place with 14 half wins. What a joke!
Sean McIndoe at The Athletic, who is a great writer in my opinion, calls them Loser Points. That feels correct to me
Just a punch to the head I thought. Could see a fine though for all that’s worth.
6 points behind the division lead as well. This is the time to make a little fix to the D and go on a heater.
Here’s an interesting question. Edmonton is supposedly trying to shop Mangiapane with a pick to get off his contract. As the Sharks do you take a 3rd round pick to make that happen and just bury him in the AHL? Edmonton by pts% is the WC2 and the Sharks direct competition for a playoff spot.
If it’s a one year deal, yes. But next year is a no fly zone. They already will probably have to waive Goodrow, though maybe they buy him out to get the contract slot back Also, not sure if you looked at the standings or also the fact that the Sharks have Edmonton’s 1st this year, but helping those guys is something Grier probably does not have on his to-do list. Even if those guys somehow make the playoffs, which is isn’t a sure thing, I think they exit 1st round because they really aren’t very good and also they… Read more »
Really hope Edm trades their 2027 1st.
That’s actually the only way I’m willing to help those guys is to get that 2027 1st. Edmonton is coming apart at the seams, in my opinion. They might not make the playoffs this year or next, in my opinion. I don’t think Grier is going to sell meaningful pieces after the last 3 game, I think Sherwood is staying. But I think he is the perfect piece to for Edmonton, he’s exactly what they need to get some energy back into that team. But screw them, I love me some Sherwood! They are so bad right now that I… Read more »
But next year is a no fly zone…They already will probably have to waive Goodrow, though maybe they buy him out to get the contract slot back There aren’t really any big fish to throw money at in free agency this off-season and if the cap rises as expect they ~$55m to spend. If they keep and pay Sherwood they will be at roughly $50m cap space with 3f, 4d and 1g spots to fill and 20 standard contracts. A couple of those spots will be Chernyshov, Bystedt, and possibly Cagnoni, all on ELC’s. Ostapchuk will get like 1.5m and… Read more »
Just my two cents, but if I’m Grier, I’m giving Graf the monies this year. 7/$45M does not seem crazy for him, in my opinion. It’s what the kids are getting for his level of play. He’s a versatile wing who can run with Mack and Will or he can play down the lines and make major impacts. And he’s also a fantastic penalty killer. He’s gonna get paid this offseason and I can’t wait. Ostapchuk is a guy I would probably try to lock in too, though maybe more like 5/$20M or something. And I think the Sharks will… Read more »
I have no problem with paying Graf. But a lot of folks anticipated $7m+ for Eklund and he landed at 5.6. Using that as the litmus test, I think the most Grier would do is 4.
And Ostapchuck really needs to show more to get that kind of payday. Imagine three years from now paying 4m AAV for a guy to do what Delandrea does.
Only reason Eklund didn’t get $7M is he chose less term. He could have had 6/$42M or the 3/$16M and he bet that his next deal would be bigger. Even with a slightly disappointing year, he’s probably still right
And hopefully the team will churn through young guys who play the Dellandrea role like McKinney, Lund, etc who are cheap on ELCs. It’s why it’s really important to develop 1 or 2 serviceable forwards every year during a championship window. Otherwise you’re trying to sign the Skinners and Mangiapanes and you’re permennially disappointed
Same as I said above even if Sharks gave out those bigger deals, it would basically be impossible for them to bit the cap next year. $54M in cap space is a ton and that doesn’t include the ability to LTIR Couture if money somehow was tight during the season. Taking on Mangiapane would free up Edmonton to trade their 2027 1st in a bigger deal. If they do that then the Sharks are guaranteed to get the 2026 1st which could be pretty important. Right now the Sharks would have the 12th pick. Edmonton is the WC2 by pts%.… Read more »
I just don’t think the money next year would be an issue. Sharks have $54M in cap space for next season and that doesn’t include the ability to LTIR Couture for some extra cap space in season. It would be basically impossible for the Sharks to hit the cap next year.
Someone on FTF said taking on his deal would be worth more like a 2nd than a 3rd per puck pedia’s model. I think I’d definitely do it for a 2nd and then just bury his salary this year and next.
If it’s Mangiapane plus a 2nd similar to The Walman, I’d do that. Especially if it means Edmonton flips their 2027 1st for a guy and 2026 becomes unprotected.
But if the pick ends up being protected, the team could be a legitimate tire fire next year. Sure, you’re playing with McDavid, but if they’ve traded all their assets, they are capped out, and you’re in Edmonton, what are you even doing joining that mess?