Resurgent Sharks get big dose of reality in loss to NHL-best Avalanche

Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News on Nov 26, 2025

Published in Hockey

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The San Jose Sharks have beaten some quality opponents during a resurgent month of November, but they didn’t give themselves a chance against the NHL’s best team.

On their heels from the start, the Sharks allowed two goals in the first period and three more early in the second – including two just nine seconds apart – in a 6-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday night at Ball Arena.

Sharks starting goalie Yaroslav Askarov has been one of the NHL’s best goalies this month, but allowed four goals on 19 shots, with the fourth coming by Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson at even strength at the 4:51 mark of the second period.

Alex Nedeljkovic then replaced Askarov, but the Avalanche scored on their next shot, as a breakdown by the Sharks allowed Joel Kiviranta to get behind the defense, take a pass from Ivan Ivan and beat Nedeljkovic for a 5-0 Colorado lead.

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Artturi Lehkonen added a goal at the 16:15 mark of the third period.

The Sharks went 0 for 4 on the power play and were unable to beat Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood despite 26 shots on net as they were shut out for the third time this season.

Nedeljkovic finished with 21 saves as the Sharks fell to 8-4-1 this month.

Colton Ross, Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Malinski all scored first-period goals for the Avalanche (17-1-5), who have now won nine straight games and shut out three straight opponents.

The Sharks beat Blackwood and the Avalanche 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 1 in San Jose. Askarov made 36 saves in that game as Colorado was coming off an emotional win over the Vegas Golden Knights the night before.

That win was part of an impressive three-week stretch for the Sharks, which included victories over the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Seattle Kraken, Minnesota Wild, Utah Mammoth and Los Angeles Kings, before beating the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

The Sharks’ resurgence this month has sparked speculation about whether they can remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

But there’s a difference between making the playoffs and being a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup, and the Avalanche appear to be favored to win a title for the second time in five years later this season.

Of Colorado’s last 10 wins, only three have been decided by fewer than three goals as the team entered Wednesday with a league-leading 61 even-strength goals and an average of 4.00 goals per game.

Colorado now has points in 14 straight games (12-0-2) since its lone regulation loss at Boston on Oct. 25.

The Sharks return home to play the Vancouver Canucks on Friday afternoon and travel to play the Golden Knights on Saturday.

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