What we learned as Sharks' playoff hopes take hit with costly loss to Oilers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN JOSE – Time is running out for the Sharks to make a big run to end their long Stanley Cup playoff drought following their 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday at SAP Center.
It was a costly defeat for the Sharks, as they entered the night with a shot at narrowing the gap between themselves and the Nashville Predators, who currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
With five games to go, there is no more margin for error. San Jose has 81 points, two behind the Los Angeles Kings and three behind the Predators.
The Sharks basically need to run the table against the likes of the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville, Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets. Three of those five – the Ducks, Blackhawks and Jets – are all games that San Jose should be favored in.
It won’t matter much who they play unless the Sharks clean up some of the ugliness from Wednesday, like penalties, missed opportunities and an inability to get much going offensively – San Jose attempted only 14 shots compared to 26 for Edmonton.
Unlike their spirited win over the Blackhawks on Monday, the Sharks were overwhelmed and outplayed at nearly every corner.
Celebrini gave the Sharks an early lead with his power-play goal at 4:05 into the first period.
The Oilers returned the favor two minutes later when Connor McDavid’s power-play goal – earning him his NHL-leading 129th point – tied the game at 1-1.
After Edmonton got goals from Jack Roslovic and Vasily Podkolzin to take a 3-1 advantage, Kiefer Sherwood’s tip-in goal cut the lead in half.
McDavid, a seven-time NHL All-Star, put the icing on the cake for Edmonton with his third goal of the night that put the Oilers in front 5-2.
Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s loss:
Rough One For Nedeljkovic
Alex Nedeljkovic had been playing fairly steady defense over the past week before the Oilers got to the Sharks goalie for a pair of power-play goals in the first period.
There wasn’t much Ned could do about McDavid’s wrist shot that got the Oilers their first goal. He has been doing that to the rest of the NHL all season.
Edmonton’s second goal, though, was a heartbreaker. Edmonton forward Podkolzin got between two defenders in front of the crease, then poked the puck between Nedeljkovic’s legs for the score.
McDavid had a similar goal in the second period that got between Nedeljkovic’s legs and into the net.
Their Own Worst Enemy
The Sharks faced a stiff challenge as it was, but San Jose made the task much more difficult due to the rash of penalties it racked up.
Edmonton took full advantage of it all, scoring its first three goals on power plays.
Even when they didn’t score, the Oilers – playing on consecutive nights – kept pushing the pace and pressure in the man-advantage situations. The Sharks’ defense just couldn’t keep up.
It’s Good To Be The Mack
The Sharks have had some great and memorable players in their history. When it’s all said and done, Celebrini might end up at the top of that illustrious list.
Still just 19 years old, Celebrini got SAP Center rocking early with his team-leading 42nd goal of the 2025-26 NHL season that capped a solid surge by the Sharks.
San Jose was in Edmonton’s zone for several moments and took a few shots before Celebrini found an opening from the left circle and scored.
Within a few seconds of Celebrini’s goal, the crowd broke into MVP chants. It’s not the first time this season that the teenager has heard chorus from the home crowd. It won’t be the last, either.
