Sharks' Young Players, Nedeljkovic Lead Way in Crucial Win Over Blackhawks

San Jose keeps pace in race for final Western Conference wild card spot with 3-2 victory

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:20am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks, with the players' movements and the action on the ice rendered in a cubist style using sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the crucial Sharks victory, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.San Jose Today

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Monday, with goals from Will Smith, Kiefer Sherwood, and William Eklund. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves to help the Sharks maintain their position in the race for the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Why it matters

The Sharks entered the game just two points behind the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings for the final wild card spot in the West. With a challenging schedule ahead, this was a crucial win for San Jose to keep pace in the playoff race.

The details

Will Smith's third-period goal proved to be the game-winner for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini set up Collin Graf, who then found Smith for the decisive tally. William Eklund had a goal and an assist, while Kiefer Sherwood also scored for San Jose. The Blackhawks got goals from Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar, but Nedeljkovic's strong performance in net helped the Sharks hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 7, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, California.
  • The Sharks have six games in the next 11 days, with four on the road and three against teams currently in a playoff spot.

The players

Will Smith

A forward for the San Jose Sharks who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Macklin Celebrini

A young Sharks player who set up the game-winning goal with a pass to Collin Graf.

Collin Graf

A Sharks forward who recorded an assist on the game-winning goal.

Alex Nedeljkovic

The Sharks' goaltender who made 25 saves to help secure the victory.

Ryan Donato

A Blackhawks forward who scored one of Chicago's two goals in the game.

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What they’re saying

“This is a team that gets up the ice. They've got young skill that can make plays. They can score quickly. So we've got to be on top of them.”

— Ryan Warsofsky, Sharks Coach

What’s next

The Sharks will host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, April 9, 2026 in their next game as they continue their push for a playoff spot.

The takeaway

The Sharks' victory over the Blackhawks, led by their young players and strong goaltending, was a crucial step in maintaining their position in the race for the final Western Conference wild card spot. With a challenging schedule ahead, this win could prove pivotal in the Sharks' postseason aspirations.