Ducks Soar Past Sharks in Pacific Division Rivalry

Anaheim Ducks defeat San Jose Sharks in key late-season matchup

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:34am

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The Anaheim Ducks defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2 in a key Pacific Division matchup at the SAP Center in San Jose. The Ducks, led by a strong offensive performance, were able to overcome the Sharks and solidify their position in the playoff race.

Why it matters

This game was an important late-season clash between two Pacific Division rivals fighting for playoff positioning. The Ducks' victory helps them maintain their hold on a playoff spot, while the Sharks' loss deals a blow to their postseason aspirations.

The details

The Ducks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson. The Sharks battled back to tie the game in the second period, but the Ducks regained the lead in the third period and added an empty-net goal to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on April 1, 2026 at 9:00 pm EDT.
  • The Ducks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.

The players

Cutter Gauthier

The Ducks' leading scorer, who netted the opening goal in the first period.

Leo Carlsson

The Ducks' second-leading scorer, who also scored in the first period to give Anaheim an early 2-0 lead.

Macklin Celebrini

The Sharks' leading scorer, who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Lukas Dostal

The Ducks' starting goaltender, who made 32 saves to earn the victory.

Yaroslav Askarov

The Sharks' starting goaltender, who made 28 saves in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a divisional rival, but our guys came out with a lot of energy and were able to capitalize on our opportunities.”

— Dallas Eakins, Ducks Head Coach

“It's a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for our next game against the Leafs. We're still in the hunt and we're not going to give up.”

— Mike Grier, Sharks General Manager

What’s next

The Ducks will return home to face the St. Louis Blues, while the Sharks will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in their next game.

The takeaway

This victory keeps the Ducks firmly in the playoff picture in the Pacific Division, while the Sharks' loss makes their path to the postseason more difficult. The rivalry between these two California teams remains intense as they battle for positioning in the tight Western Conference standings.