The San José Sharks are building a team that has been missing a key piece of success in recent seasons – and that is winning hockey games.
With a 25-21-3 record, the Sharks have already surpassed last season’s win total, in which they finished with just 20 victories.
With five games remaining before the Olympic break, San José sits fourth in the Pacific Division with 53 points and currently occupies a wild-card playoff spot.
The Sharks have not reached the playoffs since 2019 when they advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing to the St. Louis Blues.
Since then, the team has endured six consecutive postseason absences, a streak that now appears increasingly vulnerable to ending.
Much of the optimism surrounding the Sharks’ resurgence stems from the emergence of their young core, led by center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Celebrini leads the team in goals, assists and points with 24 goals, 48 assists and 72 points and was recently named to Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Celebrini said the improvement has been evident both on the ice and in the atmosphere surrounding the team.
“You can see the excitement in the crowd and the fans,” Celebrini said. “There’s just a lot better vibe(s) around our group and the way that we’re doing things right now.”
That renewed energy has been reflected at the SAP Center, which has become a stronger home-ice advantage for San José.
The Sharks won just 12 home games last season, but have already surpassed that mark with 13 home victories this year.
San José has scored 151 goals this season, with 78 of those occurring at home.
Attendance has also risen significantly, averaging approximately 15,682 fans per game which is a notable increase from last season’s average of 14,219, according to a Hockey DB webpage.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said the growing enthusiasm has been noticeable both inside and outside the rink.
“There’s a real unique energy right now that we haven’t seen in my experiences,” Warsofsky said. “The energy that is coming back, you’re seeing more Sharks hats and jackets. When you’re out and about, people are talking about it.”
Several signature wins have helped fuel that momentum. Among them was a 5-4 overtime comeback victory at home against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 10, when the Sharks erased a two-goal deficit.
San José also earned a 4-3 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 31, 2025. Both the Stars and Wild currently rank among the top three teams in the Central Division.
Warsofsky said those moments have played a key role in re-engaging the fan base.
“There’s been some unique wins and obviously where we are in the standings, more people are invested in it and seeing what we’re doing,” Warsofsky said. “A few years ago, you couldn’t give tickets away, and now you can’t get a ticket. I think that’s what happens when you start having success, and it’s obviously great to see.”
One of the biggest comebacks in Sharks history came on Dec. 13, when San José rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6–5, a moment memorably described by play-by-play announcer Randy Hahn on the call.
The Sharks continue to evaluate and develop their young talent, including center Michael Misa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Misa has appeared in 12 NHL games this season after missing time with a November injury.
Since returning, he has begun to find his footing, recording two points through assists in San José’s 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Jan. 19.
Misa said the injury altered his season but also provided an opportunity for growth.
“After that injury, it kind of turned into a bit of a development year for me,” Misa said. “It’s hard to come back from injury in this league. What they’ve got going for me is really going to help me and I’m excited to be back here.”
San José will play its final home game before the Olympic break on Friday against the New York Rangers before embarking on a five-game road trip that concludes against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 4.
