The San Jose Sharks aren’t the best team in the league, but somehow, some way, the Sharks have the Minnesota Wild’s number. It took extra time once again, but the Sharks swept the season series with the Wild today, with a 4-3 shootout win. The win claimed the Sharks’ 20th win of the season, equaling San Jose’s total wins in all of the 2024-25 season. The last time the Sharks had 20 or more wins before the turn of the calendar was in 2018-19, when the team had 46 wins and made the playoffs. While we’re not saying that the Sharks are going to make the playoffs this season, a win like the one over the Wild certainly will go a long way toward showing that the Sharks have a shot.
Unlike what happened on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks, the Sharks managed to stick with the Wild much better in this game. Looking at Natural Stat Trick’s Corsi Differential in all situations, you can see that while the Wild still had better possession than the Sharks in this game, San Jose was still able to push back.
To see the Sharks skate with one of the best teams in the NHL, even if it is for small spurts of the game is good. It shows that the team is taking strides in the correct direction.
Chernyshov continues to show he belongs in the NHL
While Macklin Celebrini’s selection for Team Canada was certainly an excellent gift to close out the new year, the arrival of Igor Chernyshov for the Sharks might be an even better one. Chernyshov’s play since joining the Sharks has been exceptional, especially when you consider that the forward wasn’t expected to make his presence felt in the NHL so early.
Chernyshov had a goal and an assist in this game and is now on a more than point per game pace since joining the NHL. The rookie forward has found some excellent chemistry with Celebrini, but he’s also shown some elite skill, such as on San Jose’s first goal of the game.
Igor Chernyshov buries his third career goal following a pretty feed from Macklin Celebrini 🦈 pic.twitter.com/trVuLzwOlK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 31, 2025
His ability to deke an elite defenseman in Quinn Hughes and then fire it past Jesper Wallstedt, who currently holds the best save percentage in the NHL, was highlight reel worthy.
Chernyshov also fed Celebrini in front of the net later in the game to return the favor.
CHERNYSHOV AND CELEBRINI AGAIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TB4zWYScIX
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) December 31, 2025
Knowing that the Sharks have Chernyshov as another option offensively, and one that might be able to drive play, perhaps on a second line separate from Celebrini in the future, should make Sharks fans very excited.
Wild win leads to wild card spot
The win, crazily, puts the Sharks into the first wild card spot in the Western Conference nearly halfway through the season. Obviously, there are some caveats, since San Jose has played two more games than Los Angeles, which is in the second wild card spot, one more game than Nashville, which is the first runner up, and three more games than Seattle, which is the second runner up.
That said, San Jose is also just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks and the Vegas Golden Knights, which hold the second and third spots in the Pacific Division. The team is three points behind the Edmonton Oilers, which leads the Pacific Division and has played the same number of games as the Sharks.
Crazy times.
Scoring summary Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks Dec. 31, 2025
First period
10:38 MIN Vladimir Tarasenko from Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza
Second period
1:14 SJS Igor Chernyshov from Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund
16:47 SJS Jeff Skinner from Dmitry Orlov on the power play
Third period
4:16 SJS Macklin Celebrini from Igor Chernyshov
6:40 MIN Marcus Foligno from Zach Bogosian and Jake Middleton
8:47 MIN Mats Zuccarello unassisted
Overtime
No scoring
Shootout
SJS Collin Graf shot wide
MIN Mats Zuccarello shot saved by Yaroslav Askarov
SJS Macklin Celebrini scored
MIN Matt Boldy shot saved by Yaroslav Askarov
SJS William Eklund scored
