Sharks Win 4th Straight, Climb Into Wild-Card Spot

The San Jose Sharks are making one of the most compelling playoff pushes in the NHL right now. After spending much of the 2025-26 season on the periphery of contention, San Jose has caught fire at exactly the right moment — rattling off four straight wins to climb into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with just weeks remaining in the regular season. For fans and analysts alike, the Sharks' surge is the story of the week.

Sharks Defeat Maple Leafs 4-1, Solidify Playoff Position

On April 2, 2026, the San Jose Sharks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 at SAP Center, extending their winning streak to four games and vaulting themselves into a genuine playoff spot. The victory was dominant from the start, with San Jose controlling pace and limiting Toronto to just 19 shots on goal. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was sharp, making 18 saves to preserve the win, while Anthony Stolarz stopped 21 shots in a losing effort for Toronto.

The performance was highlighted by Collin Graf, who reached the 20-goal milestone for the season — a significant personal benchmark and a sign of the team's offensive depth. Zack Ostapchuk and William Eklund each contributed a goal and an assist, providing the secondary scoring that playoff-caliber teams need. Alexander Wennberg continued his hot streak, extending his point streak to five games in the process.

For a full game breakdown, the official NHL recap covers every key moment from the night.

Wild Card Race: Sharks Tied With Kings and Predators

With the win, San Jose now sits at 75 points — tied with both the Los Angeles Kings and the Nashville Predators for the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference. The crucial advantage: the Sharks hold a game in hand over both rivals, meaning their playoff fate is largely in their own hands.

As Yahoo Sports noted, the Sharks are "back in a playoff spot, for now" — a qualifier that captures the razor-thin margins in this wild-card battle. Every point matters, and San Jose's remaining schedule will be a true test of whether this surge is sustainable.

The standings situation heading into the final weeks of the season:

• San Jose Sharks: 75 points (game in hand over rivals)
• Los Angeles Kings: 75 points
• Nashville Predators: 75 points

The Sharks' remaining homestand includes matchups against the Nashville Predators, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Edmonton Oilers — a gauntlet that will define whether this team belongs in the postseason conversation.

A Six-Game Homestand Turning Into a Statement

The Sharks have won the first three games of a six-game homestand at SAP Center, going 3-0 with wins over the St. Louis Blues (5-4 on March 30), the Anaheim Ducks on April 1, and the Maple Leafs on April 2. They now have points in five straight games (4-0-1), a run that has completely transformed their playoff outlook.

The current four-game winning streak is the Sharks' second of the season, but historical context makes it even more meaningful — their last winning streak of this length or greater was a 6-0-0 run from November 5-16, 2019. That's how rare this kind of sustained excellence has been in San Jose over the past several years, and it underscores just how significant this moment is for the franchise.

The Mercury News described it succinctly: the Sharks are taking care of business, and right now, business is very good at SAP Center.

Injury Updates: Dellandrea Returns, Chernyshov Sidelined

The Sharks' push has not come without adversity on the injury front. Forward Ty Dellandrea, who had been sidelined for nearly three months with a torn right posterior cruciate ligament suffered on January 6, 2026 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, was activated off injured reserve and made his return in the April 1 game against the Anaheim Ducks. His comeback adds a valuable forward option as San Jose navigates the final stretch of the season.

However, winger Igor Chernyshov — who had been instrumental in the team's momentum — was ruled out of the Ducks game due to illness. Chernyshov had previously missed time after suffering a head injury on March 14 against the Montreal Canadiens, then returned spectacularly with two goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in late March. His status will be closely watched as San Jose heads into the final stretch of the homestand.

Details on Chernyshov's absence and the roster situation were first reported by the East Bay Times.

Toronto Maple Leafs Eliminated From Playoff Contention

The April 2 result carried consequences beyond just the Sharks' standings position. With the 4-1 loss, the Toronto Maple Leafs were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 2025-26 NHL season — a stunning end to what was expected to be a competitive year for one of the league's marquee franchises.

The Maple Leafs' elimination adds a layer of drama to what was already a compelling evening at SAP Center. The Associated Press covered the dual narrative of San Jose's rise and Toronto's fall in its game preview coverage, capturing the stakes perfectly.

For the Sharks, beating a playoff-caliber opponent — even one playing out the string — and clinching a meaningful standings move in the same night is exactly the kind of performance that builds postseason confidence.

What Sharks Fans Should Watch For Down the Stretch

With the homestand continuing and pivotal games ahead, here's what will determine whether San Jose holds onto that wild-card spot:

• The Nashville matchup: A direct showdown with a team tied in points is essentially a playoff game in April. Expect a physical, high-stakes contest.
• Wennberg's point streak: Alexander Wennberg is playing some of the best hockey of his season. If he continues producing, San Jose's offense becomes very difficult to contain.
• Goaltending continuity: With both Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov (who started the Ducks game) in the mix, the coaching staff has depth in net. Managing that tandem wisely will be crucial.
• Chernyshov's health: If the winger recovers from his illness and returns for the Nashville game, San Jose gets one of its most dangerous scoring threats back just in time.
• Pacific Division context: The Anaheim Ducks lead the Pacific with 87 points, two ahead of the Edmonton Oilers. San Jose faces the Oilers in a homestand finale that could have major implications for both clubs.

Fans looking to gear up for the playoff push can shop for San Jose Sharks jerseys, San Jose Sharks hats, and Sharks fan gear to show their support as the team chases a postseason berth.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sharks' Playoff Push

Are the San Jose Sharks currently in a playoff spot?

Yes, as of April 2, 2026, the San Jose Sharks hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 75 points. They are tied with the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators but hold a game in hand over both teams.

How many games have the Sharks won in a row?

The Sharks have won four consecutive games, making this their second four-game winning streak of the 2025-26 season. It is also their longest win streak since a 6-0-0 run in November 2019.

Who scored for the Sharks against the Maple Leafs?

Collin Graf (his 20th goal of the season), Zack Ostapchuk, and William Eklund all scored in the 4-1 victory. Ostapchuk and Eklund each added an assist as well, and Alexander Wennberg extended his point streak to five games.

When is the Sharks' next big game?

The Sharks' remaining homestand includes a critical matchup against the Nashville Predators — a direct wild-card rival — followed by games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers. Each game has significant playoff implications.

Has Ty Dellandrea returned from injury?

Yes. Ty Dellandrea was activated off injured reserve and returned to the lineup on April 1, 2026, against the Anaheim Ducks after missing nearly three months with a torn right posterior cruciate ligament.

Conclusion: The Sharks Are for Real

What seemed like a long-shot playoff push just a few weeks ago now looks like a legitimate charge. The San Jose Sharks have won four straight, climbed into a wild-card position, and done so while managing injuries and lineup changes with aplomb. With a game in hand over their rivals and a remaining schedule that tests both their resolve and their depth, the next few weeks will define this team's season.

If players like Wennberg, Graf, Ostapchuk, and Eklund continue to produce — and if Chernyshov can get healthy — San Jose has more than enough firepower to hold that playoff spot. The energy at SAP Center is building, the momentum is real, and the Western Conference wild-card race just got a lot more interesting.