Yaroslav Askarov will start for the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, his first game since March 10 against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sharks are on life support in terms of their push for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A five-game losing streak must come to an end right away if they want to stay in it. The return of Askarov could be exactly what they needed. Alex Nedeljkovic has faired well for most of the season, but when Askarov has been on his A game, that’s when the Sharks are at their best.
Askarov will start tonight, his first game since Mar. 10
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 26, 2026
Askarov’s numbers since the start of February haven’t been the best. The San Jose Sharks goalie is just 2-4-1 since February 1, and has a rough 3.99 GAA and .869 save percentage. Although no player wants an injury, a reset might’ve been just what the doctor ordered.
The Sharks have been deploying Askarov as their bona fide No. 1 netminder out of the Olympic break. The 23-year-old started five of the San Jose Sharks’ first seven games out of the break. Ryan Warsofsky has backed his young goalie multiple times, stating that he is the goalie of the future, and learning about the style of late-season games is growth for everyone, including Askarov.
As a whole, the team has been metaphorically gripping their sticks too tightly. Mental mistakes are abundant for the Sharks, and that includes Askarov, who has looked shaky. The best and maybe the only way out of the slump could be a stand on your head game from a goalie. We’ve seen Askarov do it for an entire month, and maybe the reset he got from the injury could get him the mental focus he needs to carry the Sharks.
Askarov might not be the only return to the Sharks’ lineup against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Per Sheng Peng, Tyler Toffoli has joined the team on the road and is a game-time decision. The alternate captain could get on a scoring streak in the blink of an eye, and just like the rest of the team, his production is needed to get out of the slump.