{"id":584840,"date":"2026-05-27T13:03:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/584840\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:03:55","slug":"no-playoffs-but-sharks-win-count-could-be-significant-benchmark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/584840\/","title":{"rendered":"No Playoffs, But Sharks Win Count Could Be Significant Benchmark"},"content":{"rendered":"

With two games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, the San Jose Sharks have been eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff<\/a> contention.<\/p>\n

With 38 wins this season, the Sharks can\u2019t win as many games as they lost overall, but looking at history, there are some numbers to be proud of. From the 23-24 season to 24-25, the Sharks\u2019 win total was a combined 39. They finished last place in the NHL by a wide margin both seasons and jump-started their rebuild.<\/p>\n

The 23-24 season allowed them to draft Macklin Celebrini<\/a>, Sam Dickinson<\/a>, and Igor Chernyshov<\/a>. All three players made impacts down the stretch of the San Jose Sharks\u2019 playoff push this season. So while the losing was beneficial, the positive impacts those players made were felt quickly.<\/p>\n

Heading into Wednesday\u2019s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, neither team has anything to play for other than draft position. Some may argue that the San Jose Sharks should lose to improve their draft lottery odds, but it\u2019s hard for any competitive person not to try to win a hockey game.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re all hurting a little today in #sharksterritory<\/a> but we\u2019ve had a mind blowing season. The @SanJoseSharks<\/a> are already 32 points improved over last year, we were in the playoff hunt until the end of game 80, our team is young and fun, you fans are back big time and we have a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GwqPy6rY0A<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Randy Hahn (@sharkvoice) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fans have returned to the SAP Center<\/a> in a big way, and improvements to the building are coming at the perfect time. Celebrini could be nominated for the Hart Trophy, the NHL\u2019s MVP, and Will Smith<\/a> is a perfect partner for him.<\/p>\n

So why not try to match the past two seasons\u2019 win total with a victory on Wednesday? The San Jose Sharks are currently sitting at 3.5% to win the NHL Draft Lottery<\/a>, which is the 10th-best odds. Based on points alone, the Sharks can move up to the 7th-best odds. If that were to happen, their odds of winning the lottery would jump to 6.5%. <\/p>\n

Tankathon.com<\/a> should be a familiar place for Sharks fans and draft lottery enjoyers. It allows you to simulate lottery results. Sure, improving the chances of picking in the top two picks could help the future greatly, but this season has been so positive, why finish it sour?<\/p>\n

Yaroslav Askarov<\/a> will start in goal for the final time this season. The Sharks finish their season tomorrow against the Winnipeg Jets<\/a>, and due to the back-to-back, Alex Nedeljkovic<\/a> should start on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky<\/a> told Sheng Peng of SJHN<\/a> that the team is motivated to reach the 40-win milestone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a chance to get to 40 wins,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cThat is a real motivation.\u201d<\/p>\n