The tide is turning in San Jose.

The last few years of Sharks hockey have been rough, but there always was a light at the end of the tunnel.

No matter how bad things got, the Sharks would show these momentary flashes of greatness that would leave you salivating at the thought of what this group could blossom into if they reach the immense potential they collectively possess.

While San Jose isn’t quite knocking on the door of serious contention just yet, the Sharks’ days of being the NHL’s lovable losers might be a thing of the past. This is a gritty, scrappy team that has shown it can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite squads on on given day, as evidenced by the Sharks’ 3-2 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday at SAP Center.

Offseason addition Philipp Kurashev continued his exceptional play of late with two goals, including the game-winner after sniping a shot over the left shoulder of former Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood in overtime.

PHIL WINS IT FOR TEAM TEAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/t6pxtM1IqE

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) November 1, 2025

Saturday’s OT victory was San Jose’s second consecutive win over an elite team, after dispatching the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in convincing fashion on Thursday. The Sharks have won four of their last six games, with three of those victories coming in overtime.

Teenage superstar Macklin Celebrini has been at the heart of San Jose’s recent hot streak, extending his point streak to seven consecutive games with a wicked wrist-shot goal in the first period of Saturday’s win.

Mack goes top shelf with a wrister to tie things up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o7ZKMhnXo4

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) November 1, 2025

“I thought we’ve handled the last couple games a lot better,” Celebrini told reporters after Saturday’s win.

The Sharks’ offense has had no troubles putting pucks in the net to begin the 2025-26 NHL season, ranking top-10 in goals scored with 40 through 12 games.

Defensively, it has been a nightmare, as the 50 goals conceded by San Jose rank dead-last in the NHL. The Sharks allowed four-plus goals in eight of their first 10 games this season, but San Jose dug deep and conceded just two goals in back-to-back games against the Devils and Avalanche, with goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov each getting a signature win to their name.

Askarov, a key foundational piece to San Jose’s long-term vision, had a coming out party of sorts on Saturday, recording a career-high 36 saves on 38 Avalanche shots.

In years past, this all but certainly would’ve been a game the Sharks would have lost late in back-breaking fashion. That outcome was in play Saturday as longtime beloved San Jose defenseman Brent Burns squared up a clean look from the slot with 14 seconds remaining in the third period.

Askarov denied Burns’ last-minute wrister, sending the game to overtime where Khurashev’s heroics sealed another statement win for Team Teal.

ASKAROV DENIES BRENT BURNS 💪 pic.twitter.com/8A41IicAmP

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) November 1, 2025

“He was unbelievable,” Celebrini said of Askarov. “If he keeps playing like that, we’re going to win a lot of games.”

What exactly clicked for Askarov to have a career-best performance? Look no further than the 1 p.m. PT puck drop.

“Today felt great, I wish we will have more morning games,” Askarov said with a smile after Saturday’s win.

Kurashev’s two goals proved to be the difference Saturday, but the 26-year-old forward was quick to heap praise on his goalie’s heroic effort in the win.

“He was great all night today and especially in the key moments when we needed him,” Kurashev said. “I’m happy for him. It gives us a lot of confidence too, and I’ve got a lot of good emotions from that.”

Good emotions perfectly sums up the vibe around this Sharks team of late. Nothing is more fun in sports than winning, and this electric group is beginning to put the pieces together.

They might still be the NHL’s darlings, but they won’t be a doormat any longer.

All that hope for the future might be getting cashed in sooner than we all expected.

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