A late goal from Shakir Mukhamadullin propelled the San Jose Sharks to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on March 2, 2024, at the SAP Center. With just over ten minutes remaining in the third period, Mukhamadullin scored the decisive goal, helping the Sharks end a five-game losing streak in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,435 fans.
The game showcased an exciting back-and-forth contest. Mukhamadullin received a pass from William Eklund and unleashed a wrist shot that found its way past Oilers goalie Connor Ingram, marking Mukhamadullin’s fourth goal of the season. Following his goal, the Sharks held strong, successfully killing a late penalty against defenseman Vincent Desharnais to secure the win.
In addition to Mukhamadullin’s contribution, the Sharks saw scoring from Michael Misa, Macklin Celebrini, Alex Wennberg, and Barclay Goodrow. Goalie Yaroslav Askarov recorded 20 saves, helping the team improve to 1-1-0 on their crucial six-game homestand.
The Sharks initially took control of the game, leading 3-1 after a fast-paced first period. Celebrini and Misa scored within minutes of each other, with Misa’s goal at 11:07 giving the Sharks a two-goal advantage. The Oilers responded with a goal from Leon Draisaitl, who converted a pass from Connor McDavid with 5:09 left in the first. The Sharks quickly answered, as Goodrow capitalized on a rebound to push the lead back to two goals.
Despite their struggles, the Sharks made strategic lineup changes ahead of the game. Mukhamadullin replaced Timothy Liljegren on defense, while Pavol Regenda stepped in for Ryan Reaves on the fourth line. The adjustments came after a tough 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, where Mukhamadullin had been a healthy scratch.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky emphasized the importance of solid defensive play against one of the league’s most potent offenses. “Just play solid hockey, defend with some urgency and some jam,” he said. With McDavid leading the NHL in scoring with 100 points, the Sharks needed a strong performance to contend with the Oilers, who had recently defeated the Los Angeles Kings 8-1.
Midway through the game, the Oilers narrowed the deficit when Evan Bouchard, the NHL’s top-scoring defenseman, found the net after a pass from McDavid. Bouchard’s goal brought the score to 3-2, raising the stakes for the Sharks as they sought to maintain their lead.
Although the Sharks had been struggling, the victory provided a much-needed boost as they continue their homestand. Entering the game with a record of 27-25-4, the Sharks are now five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Askarov, who had been seeking his first win against the Oilers, improved his record to 1-0-2 in his career against them. His previous encounter with Edmonton had seen the Sharks squander a three-goal lead, ultimately losing 4-3 in overtime.
The matchup on Saturday was particularly noteworthy for the reunion of McDavid and Celebrini, who previously played together for Canada at the Olympic Games. Their performances there were remarkable, with McDavid leading the tournament in points while Celebrini finished as one of the top scorers.
Looking ahead, the Sharks will face the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, followed by a challenging schedule that includes games against the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders. This victory could serve as a turning point for the Sharks as they aim to climb back into playoff contention.
