SAN JOSE, Calif. — Shakir Mukhamadullin’s goal at 9:27 of the third period proved to be the game-winner as the San Jose Sharks edged out the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Saturday night at the packed SAP Center. This thrilling victory ended the Sharks’ five-game losing streak and came in front of a crowd of 17,435 eager fans.
Mukhamadullin capitalized on a fast break, receiving a pass from William Eklund before firing a wrist shot past Oilers goalie Connor Ingram, marking his fourth goal of the season. After that score, the Sharks maintained their lead, successfully killing a late hooking penalty on defenseman Vincent Desharnais.
High-Scoring Contest Featured Key Contributions Across the Sharks Lineup
Other goal scorers for the Sharks included Michael Misa, Macklin Celebrini, Alex Wennberg, and Barclay Goodrow. Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov contributed significantly with 20 saves, helping San Jose improve to 1-1-0 during their important six-game homestand. The fast-paced opening period saw the Sharks build a 3-1 lead with goals from Celebrini and Misa, the latter giving San Jose a two-goal cushion early on.
Despite the Oilers trimming the gap with a goal from Leon Draisaitl late in the first period and Evan Bouchard scoring early in the second, the Sharks repeatedly responded, maintaining offensive pressure and defensive resilience.
Defensive Adjustments and Lineup Changes Play a Role in the Win
The Sharks made notable lineup changes coming into the game, including inserting Mukhamadullin in place of Timothy Liljegren on defense and adding Pavol Regenda to the fourth line instead of Ryan Reaves. Mukhamadullin, who was a healthy scratch in San Jose’s previous loss to Calgary, has faced an up-and-down season with limited ice time due to injuries and roster decisions.
Coach Ryan Warsofsky emphasized the importance of Mukhamadullin’s defensive play against the high-scoring Oilers, particularly against team captain Connor McDavid, who leads the NHL with 100 points in 60 games. Warsofsky said,
“Just play solid hockey, defend with some urgency and some jam,”
followed by,
Puck play is critical. (Be) a guy that can help us keep pucks out of the back of our net. Keep taking another step.”
Sharks’ Efforts to Halt Losing Streak While Responding to Pressure
The Sharks entered the contest five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, adding urgency to a win against a potent Oilers squad that averages over 3.5 goals per game. Though the Sharks led by two early on, they had to fend off Edmonton’s late surge; Bouchard’s goal on a return pass from McDavid with four minutes remaining tightened the score to 4-3 and tested San Jose’s resolve.
In response, the Sharks showed grit, notably killing a hooking penalty on Vincent Desharnais in the third period, a key moment that preserved their lead as they closed out the win. This resilience was essential after some defensive lapses in recent games, such as Liljegren’s costly turnover against Calgary that led to a Flames goal.
Individual Performances and Previous Encounters Highlight the Matchup
Macklin Celebrini, who ranks fifth in NHL scoring with 81 points in 56 games, has recently experienced a scoring drought but had a strong first period, contributing to the Sharks’ fast start. His face-off against Connor McDavid was particularly notable, as the two were linemates on Canada’s Olympic team earlier this year. McDavid led the Olympic tournament with 13 points, while Celebrini was close behind with 10, claiming the most goals of any skater at the event.
Askarov, starting his third career game against Edmonton, displayed steady goaltending throughout. Prior to this, he had been 0-0-2 against the Oilers with a save percentage of .905. His performance helped the Sharks withstand the Oilers’ offensively skilled attack, especially after a previous game in Edmonton where San Jose relinquished a three-goal lead in the third period and ultimately lost in overtime.
Sharks Prepare for Upcoming Homestand Games Amid Playoff Race
Saturday’s victory is the first of back-to-back afternoon games for San Jose at SAP Center, with a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. The Sharks will close out their homestand with contests against Montreal, St. Louis, and the New York Islanders over the following week. This stretch is critical for the Sharks as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings and secure a playoff berth.
With wins like this, highlighted by Mukhamadullin’s pivotal goal and strong team effort, the Sharks have a renewed chance to regain momentum and close the gap on playoff contenders such as the Seattle Kraken.
