The San Jose Sharks pulled off a stunning 3-2 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche, and the performance signals something bigger might be brewing at SAP Center. With three wins in their last four games, including victories over quality opponents like New Jersey and Colorado, are the Sharks finally shedding their reputation as the NHL’s worst team?
Yaroslav Askarov delivered a redemption performance with 37 saves after his disastrous outing against the Kings, facing down Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar while posting a .949 save percentage. Philipp Kurashev continued his hot streak with both the tying goal and overtime winner, proving his $1.2 million contract might be the steal of the season. The second line of Kurashev, William Eklund, and Alex Wennberg has become a legitimate scoring threat that’s allowing the Sharks to roll two effective lines.
Head coach Ryan Warsofski’s “defense is for nerds” philosophy gets examined in depth, as he explains why the best way to shut down elite opponents is sustained offensive pressure rather than defending for 60 minutes. This approach has transformed how the Sharks match up against top lines.
Macklin Celebrini put on a third-period clinic that had him going toe-to-toe with MacKinnon and Makar, generating six of the team’s 23 shots and demonstrating the superstar potential that makes him must-watch hockey. The rookie is already carrying this team in crucial moments, and these performances will only become more frequent as he matures.
The episode breaks down the statistical reality of a game the Sharks probably didn’t deserve to win, getting dominated 64-34 in shot attempts through two periods before finding a way in the third. Injury concerns emerge with Timothy Liljegren taking a puck to the face and Ryan Reaves in a walking boot, while Sam Dickinson’s roster status remains uncertain as his 10-game evaluation window closes.
Tune in for granular statistical analysis, injury updates, and insight into whether this recent success represents genuine progress or just a temporary hot streak before a brutal stretch against Detroit, Seattle, and Winnipeg.
Timestamps:
0:00 Sharks Beat Avalanche 3-2 in Overtime
2:33 Sharks Playing .500 Hockey Now
7:09 Philip Kurashev’s Overtime Heroics
9:11 Sharks Rising in Tank Rankings
10:46 Defense is for Nerds Philosophy
13:19 Learning to Win Close Games
14:53 Celebrini Dominates Third Period
16:56 Liljegren Injury Update and Concerns
19:32 Breaking Down the Game Numbers
23:39 Physical Toll on Jeff Skinner
26:11 Tough Stretch of Games Ahead
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10 Comments
What a time to be a Sharks fan! We are witnessing something special brewing. Competitive, physical, learning from mistakes. Heck yes. That’s all I ask for as a fan. I believe in them even more than I did yesterday. I love this team. And GMMG is a big reason for it. Let’s give him props for setting us up for success! Go Sharks!
For me, the defense is the real surprise. Playing very well. Coach gets respect here too.
As a Canadian I am happy to get 1 win today 😅 that first couple mins scared me today but what a finish!
Also the 93.6 mph clapper from celebrini in the 3rd?!?!?! I didnt know he has a CANNON ontop of everything else 😂
Never knew Jeff Skinner was an animal along the boards. Dude was competing out there, I love this more high energy look of the team overall as opposed to recent years
Hot take here
I don’t think Will Smith has had a good start to the season. He’s passing up way too many opportunities to shoot, keeps making weird pass choices, has made the same mistakes he made last year. I know we’re just 12 games in but without Macklin, he’d be having the same amount of points as last year.
Defense wins cups.
Thought Muk continued to look good. Hate to be negative but this is about the 3rd game in a row Mario has been the worst defenseman.
I was at the game! Such a great win
Love the podcast but don’t like defense is for nerds. The most accurate thing to say is defense should assist to create offense.
How many games have we watched this season and I have heard many say … including you that it’s the defensive breakdowns that caused the losses.
You can’t score your way out of bad defense. Full stop.
Also, the first goal wasn’t on Askarov as the puck was heading off goal until it deflected off Liljegren’s skate.
Hopefully Liljegren will recover quickly, bad luck. Nice to see them find a way to win.
Agree with fans should stop saying Askarov’s a bust. Just ignorant statement to make.
Looking forward to your next podcast.