Sharks' playoff hopes dashed in shootout loss to Canucks

San Jose falls short in home finale despite Celebrini's big night

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:11am

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A cubist-style painting featuring angular, overlapping geometric shapes in teal, orange, and navy blue, representing the intense action and emotional turmoil of a hockey game.A cubist interpretation of the Sharks' heartbreaking shootout loss, capturing the fractured emotions and fragmented action on the ice.Fresno Today

The San Jose Sharks were unable to secure a crucial win in their home finale, falling 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Saturday night. Despite a strong performance from Macklin Celebrini, who recorded his 109th and 110th points of the season, the Sharks couldn't hold on and lost ground in the Western Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

The Sharks' loss keeps them five points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. With only a few games left in the regular season, this defeat is a significant blow to San Jose's playoff aspirations.

The details

The Sharks took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Igor Chernyshov, but the Canucks battled back to tie it at 1-1 and 2-2 before taking a 3-2 advantage. Chernyshov scored again to put San Jose up 3-2, but Teddy Blueger tied it late in regulation to force overtime. In the shootout, Jake DeBrusk and Linus Karlsson scored for the Canucks, while the Sharks were unable to convert.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Sharks' loss keeps them five points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A forward for the San Jose Sharks who recorded his 109th and 110th points of the season in the loss.

Igor Chernyshov

A forward for the San Jose Sharks who scored two goals in the game.

Jake DeBrusk

A forward for the Vancouver Canucks who scored in the shootout and had a goal in regulation.

Teddy Blueger

A forward for the Vancouver Canucks who scored the game-tying goal late in regulation.

Yaroslav Askarov

The goaltender for the San Jose Sharks who made 38 saves in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We had our chances, but just couldn't close it out. It's a tough one to swallow, but we have to regroup and focus on the next one.”

— Macklin Celebrini, Sharks forward

What’s next

The Sharks will look to bounce back in their next game as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

This loss is a significant setback for the Sharks' playoff hopes, as they now find themselves five points behind the Kings for the final wild-card spot. With limited games remaining, San Jose will need to string together some wins to keep their postseason dreams alive.