Sharks, Predators Battle for Final Playoff Spot

San Jose and Nashville clash in crucial Western Conference matchup

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:49pm

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The San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators face off in a pivotal game with major playoff implications. Both teams are tied with 79 points, vying for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Sharks hold a slight edge in regulation wins, the second tiebreaker, but the Predators have dominated the head-to-head matchup in recent years. San Jose is looking to end a 14-game losing streak against Nashville and secure its first playoff berth since 2019.

Why it matters

This game represents a crucial opportunity for the Sharks to solidify their playoff positioning and end their long drought. A win would give them the edge in the regulation wins tiebreaker over the Predators, putting them in prime position to clinch the final wild card spot. The stakes are high as both teams battle to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The details

The Sharks and Predators are currently tied with 79 points, but San Jose holds a game in hand. The key tiebreaker is regulation wins, where the Sharks have 24 to the Predators' 25. A Sharks win in regulation would give them the advantage in that category. San Jose is riding a five-game point streak, including four straight wins, while Nashville has won two of its last five. The Sharks are led by alternate captain Tyler Toffoli, who has praised the team's improved play and growth throughout the season.

  • The Sharks and Predators face off on April 4, 2026 at 7 PM PT.
  • San Jose last beat Nashville on November 9, 2019, a 2-1 shootout victory.
  • The Sharks are currently on a 14-game losing streak against the Predators, including a 6-3 loss on March 24, 2026.

The players

Tyler Toffoli

Alternate captain of the San Jose Sharks who has praised the team's improved play and growth this season.

Yaroslav Askarov

Goaltender for the San Jose Sharks who will start against his former teammate Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.

Juuse Saros

Goaltender for the Nashville Predators who will face off against Yaroslav Askarov, his former teammate.

Ozzy Wiesblatt

San Jose Sharks' 2020 first-round draft pick who recently spoke about his time with the team.

Barclay Goodrow

The only current Shark who played the last time San Jose beat Nashville, a 2-1 shootout victory on November 9, 2019.

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What they’re saying

“We've been playing really well as a team and not making the mental errors that I feel like we've made sometimes throughout the season.”

— Tyler Toffoli, Alternate captain, San Jose Sharks

“Last year was a shitty year, but to see the turnaround and the growth from every single guy in this locker room, and the guys that have come in to help turn this thing around, we're having a lot of fun with it, and it's nice to be back in the mix.”

— Tyler Toffoli, Alternate captain, San Jose Sharks

“When the @predators traded Yaroslav Askarov to the @SanJoseSharks in the summer of '24, they did so in part because they decided Juuse Saros would be their goalie of the future. Tonight, Askarov and Saros go head-to-head for the first time in an NHL game. And the stakes are HUGE!”

— Randy Hahn

What’s next

If the Sharks can beat the Predators in regulation, it would give them the edge in the regulation wins tiebreaker and put them in a strong position to clinch the final Western Conference wild card spot.

The takeaway

This game represents a crucial opportunity for the Sharks to end their playoff drought and secure a postseason berth. The team's improved play and growth throughout the season have them in contention, but they must overcome their recent struggles against the Predators to keep their playoff hopes alive.