Yaroslav Askarov will start his 24th game of the season for the San Jose Sharks against the Vancouver Canucks.

The 23-year-old has had an up-and-down December, just like the rest of the team. But the NHL’s Christmas break couldn’t have come at a better time. Askarov was pulled in his last start against the Vegas Golden Knights after giving up four goals on 16 shots.

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky stood up for his young goalie and urged the team in front of him to play better.

Warsofsky on #SJSharks Askarov: “We have to pull Asky. This kid needs to play. We have to get him going. He’s the future of this franchise as a goaltender. It is unfair to him to pull him and take momentum. It is disappointing.”

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 24, 2025

After an incredible month of November, Askarov bailed out the San Jose Sharks on multiple occasions. Through 11 games in December, the Sharks have a record of 5-6-0. After winning three straight, the team dropped its next three games, sending them back to .500 in the NHL.

The Sharks sit two points behind the Utah Mammoth for the second, and final, wild card spot in the Western Conference. They do have two games in hand, making each game where Utah is idle more important.

If the San Jose Sharks want to earnestly contend for the playoffs, beating a Canucks team that traded its best player to the Minnesota Wild is a must. Quinn Hughes is gone, but the Canucks will get their No. 1 center back in Elias Pettersson.

The last time these two teams played, the Sharks won 3-2, and Askarov made 32 saves. Macklin Celebrini had two assists for the San Jose Sharks as well.

It has been non-stop action for the Sharks, and for a young team that can be incredibly tiring, but that is life in the NHL. Using the three days off to reset and reenergize could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Sharks.

Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on Sharks Hockey Digest! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest!