Event Preview
Overview
The San Jose Sharks are set to host the Edmonton Oilers at the SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST. This Pacific Division matchup is crucial for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning. The Oilers, currently 29-23-8, are aiming to improve their standing, while the Sharks, at 27-25-4, are looking to close the gap in the division. (wtop.com)
Season Snapshot
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have shown resilience this season, surpassing their point total from the previous two seasons. With a record of 27-25-4, they are 8-9-3 against Pacific Division opponents. Notably, they have a strong performance in one-goal games, holding a 13-5-3 record in such matchups. (wtop.com)
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers, with a 29-23-8 record, lead the Western Conference with 53 power-play goals. They have a 9-4-3 record against Pacific Division teams. Their recent performance includes a dominant 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, where defenseman Jake Walman scored twice. (wtop.com)
Recent Form
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have struggled recently, losing their last five games. In their most recent outing, they faced a 4-3 overtime loss to the Oilers on January 29, 2026. In that game, the Sharks initially led 3-0, but the Oilers mounted a comeback, with Evan Bouchard tying the game late and Zach Hyman scoring the overtime winner. (africa.espn.com)
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have had a mixed recent performance, with a 4-6-0 record in their last ten games. Their most recent game was a decisive 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, where defenseman Jake Walman scored twice. (wtop.com)
Talking Points
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Sharks' Recent Struggles: Can the Sharks break their losing streak and find their form against the Oilers?
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Oilers' Power Play Dominance: Will Edmonton's league-leading power play continue to be a decisive factor?
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Sharks' One-Goal Game Record: With a strong record in one-goal games, can the Sharks leverage this to their advantage?
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Oilers' Depth Scoring: After a multi-goal performance by Jake Walman, will Edmonton's depth continue to contribute offensively?
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Playoff Implications: How will this game impact the playoff race in the Pacific Division?
Players to Watch
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Macklin Celebrini (Sharks): The young star has been a key contributor, with six points in the last two games. (thebig1050.com)
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Leon Draisaitl (Oilers): With 30 goals and 54 assists, Draisaitl is a central figure in Edmonton's offense. (wtop.com)
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Jake Walman (Oilers): His two-goal performance in the recent win over the Kings highlights his offensive capabilities. (wtop.com)
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Kiefer Sherwood (Sharks): Leading the team with 17 goals and six assists, Sherwood is a consistent offensive threat. (wtop.com)
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Evan Bouchard (Oilers): With five goals and 13 assists over the last ten games, Bouchard is contributing significantly to the power play. (wtop.com)
Key Matchups & Storylines
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Sharks' Defense vs. Oilers' Power Play: The Sharks' penalty kill will be tested against the Oilers' top-ranked power play.
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Sharks' Goaltending: Can the Sharks' goaltender step up to prevent the Oilers' high-powered offense?
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Sharks' Offensive Depth: Will the Sharks' secondary scoring emerge to support their top players?
Fun Facts
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The Sharks have a 13-5-3 record in one-goal games this season. (wtop.com)
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The Oilers lead the Western Conference with 53 power-play goals. (wtop.com)
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Macklin Celebrini became the second-youngest player in NHL history to reach 90 career assists at 19 years, 230 days old. (africa.espn.com)
Things to Chirp About
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"Can the Sharks snap their losing streak against the Oilers tonight?"
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"Will Edmonton's power play continue its dominance?"
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"Is Macklin Celebrini the future of the Sharks' offense?"
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"How will the Sharks' defense handle the Oilers' offensive depth?"
Prediction
While the Sharks have struggled recently, their strong record in one-goal games suggests they can keep it close. However, the Oilers' potent power play and recent form may give them the edge in this matchup.