We waited almost two years for this matchup.
Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators’ present and future starting goaltender, playing against Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville’s one-time top goaltending prospect.
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Those two, meeting in a playoff-like setting at SAP Center on April 4 in San Jose, California, finally faced each other in a game, and with more than just bragging rights on the line. The result decided which team would hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference in the waning days of the regular season.
In the end, Saros stopped 24 of 27 shots as the Predators beat the Sharks 6-3 and jumped back into playoff position. Askarov allowed five goals on 33 shots, dropping his record to 21-18-3 this season.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) shoots the puck, scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks, during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) scores a goal past San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Brady Skjei, Nashville Predators defenseman in NHL
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks with center Ryan O’Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (90) battlesSan Jose Sharks right wing Adam Gaudette (81) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (90) battles San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov (92) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal next to San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks with center Fedor Svechkov (40) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
“We knew this trip was going to be an important one,” Filip Forsberg, who scored two goals, told reporters after the win. “Pretty much every team on this trip is somebody we’re trying to chase and we’ve taken care of business so far.”
The Predators jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but saw the Sharks tie the game early in the third period. Then Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Haula and Tyson Jost scored to seal the win for Nashville (36-31-9, 81 points).
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“Proud of the group,” coach Andrew Brunette said. “We’ve kind of been built for this. Three to three going into the third period, blow the lead, go through some adversity, but hung in there together. Like we’ve done all year.”
Predators’ Juuse Saros outbattles former understudy Yaroslav Askarov
The win for the Predators is the main takeaway, but don’t ignore the larger context.
Some 20 months ago, general manager Barry Trotz made an important decision on Saros and Askarov that was not received well by many.
In August 2024, Trotz signed Saros to an eight-year extension, keeping him in Nashville through 2033. This prompted Askarov, the Predators’ No. 11 overall pick in 2020, to ask for a trade. Trotz obliged, sending Askarov to San Jose for a first-round pick and forward David Edstrom.
Apr 4, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Nashville Predators left winger Erik Haula (56) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The decision to pay Saros, now 30 years old, north of $7 million per year, instead of investing in a young, talented goaltender, was seen as a misstep.
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But at least in the short run, it has paid off for Nashville. Saros has outplayed Askarov, now 23, since the trade. And Askarov has been relegated to a backup role in San Jose — something he was trying to avoid in Nashville.
In two games against the Predators, he has not fared well, allowing 11 goals and a save percentage of .847. Meanwhile, Saros is 28-20-7 with an .894 save percentage this season.
“(Saros) has been unbelievable for us,” Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly told the media after the game. “Again tonight, huge saves there. He gives us a chance to win.”
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Saros vs Askarov underscored Predators vs Sharks fight for wild card