Gaudette's late goal helps Sharks beat Blues, snap 3-game win streak

Adam Gaudette scored with 21 seconds left to lift San Jose to a 5-4 victory over St. Louis.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:27am

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Adam Gaudette scored the game-winning goal with just 21 seconds remaining to help the San Jose Sharks defeat the St. Louis Blues 5-4 and snap the Blues' three-game winning streak. Alexander Wennberg and Macklin Celebrini each had two goals and an assist for the Sharks, who are tied with Seattle and two points behind Nashville for the final Western Conference wild card spot. Theo Lindstein, Pavel Buchnevich, Philip Broberg and Cam Fowler scored for the Blues, who remain outside the playoff picture with 73 points.

Why it matters

This was a crucial win for the Sharks as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race. The late-game heroics from Gaudette could prove pivotal in determining which teams make the postseason.

The details

Gaudette's game-winning goal came on a rush, as he flicked a wrist shot from near the left faceoff spot that trickled between the legs of Blues goalie Joel Hofer. Yaroslav Askarov made 22 saves for the Sharks, while Hofer finished with 24 saves for St. Louis. Fowler had tied the game at 4-4 with a power-play goal with 7:07 remaining, but the Sharks were able to regain the lead in the final seconds.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • Gaudette scored the game-winning goal with just 21 seconds left in regulation.

The players

Adam Gaudette

The Sharks forward scored the game-winning goal with 21 seconds left to lift San Jose to victory.

Alexander Wennberg

The Sharks forward had two goals and an assist in the win.

Macklin Celebrini

The 19-year-old Sharks forward had two goals and an assist, making him the sixth different teenager in NHL history with at least 100 points in a season.

Cam Fowler

The Blues defenseman scored a power-play goal to tie the game at 4-4 with 7:07 remaining.

Joel Hofer

The Blues goaltender made 24 saves in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been due for a late-game winner. The boys really battled hard tonight and it's great to get this win and keep ourselves in the playoff hunt.”

— Adam Gaudette, Sharks forward

What’s next

The Blues will look to bounce back when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, while the Sharks will host the Anaheim Ducks on the same night.

The takeaway

This thrilling victory for the Sharks keeps them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, with the late-game heroics from Gaudette potentially proving crucial as the season winds down. The loss is a tough one for the Blues, who remain on the outside of the postseason picture.