Sharks Defeat Maple Leafs 4-1 in Playoff Push

San Jose wins fourth straight game to climb in Western Conference standings

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:56am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant brushstrokes of neon blue, green, and red, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of a hockey game.The Sharks' high-octane offense overwhelms the Maple Leafs in a crucial Western Conference matchup.San Jose Today

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Thursday night, led by goals from Zack Ostapchuk, Collin Graf, William Eklund, and Adam Gaudette. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 18 saves for the Sharks, who are fighting for a wild-card playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference. Toronto's lone goal came from John Tavares on the power play.

Why it matters

The Sharks' victory keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth, a significant turnaround from last season when they had the worst record in the NHL. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for the Maple Leafs, who are in the midst of a four-game road trip.

The details

Zack Ostapchuk scored his first goal in nearly three months to open the scoring for the Sharks. Collin Graf, William Eklund, and Adam Gaudette also found the back of the net for San Jose. Maple Leafs captain John Tavares scored the lone goal for Toronto on the power play.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Zack Ostapchuk

A San Jose Sharks forward who scored the opening goal in the game.

Collin Graf

A San Jose Sharks forward who scored a goal in the game.

William Eklund

A San Jose Sharks forward who scored a goal in the game.

Adam Gaudette

A San Jose Sharks forward who scored a goal in the game.

Alex Nedeljkovic

The San Jose Sharks goaltender who made 18 saves in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We're fighting for a playoff spot, so every game is crucial at this point. The guys came out with a lot of energy and we were able to get the job done.”

— Zack Ostapchuk, San Jose Sharks forward

What’s next

The Maple Leafs will continue their four-game road trip by visiting the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, while the Sharks will host the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.

The takeaway

The Sharks' victory keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference, a remarkable turnaround from their dismal performance last season. The loss is a setback for the Maple Leafs, who are looking to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings.