Buffalo hasn't been a friendly stop for the San Jose Sharks, and last night's game was no exception. The Sharks, fighting tooth and nail for every point as the playoff race heats up, couldn't shake off their historical struggles in upstate New York. The Sabres, sitting pretty atop the Atlantic Division, handed San Jose a tough 6-3 defeat.
Buffalo, who hasn't tasted playoff hockey since 2011, seems to have finally turned the corner. With players like Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Jack Quinn stepping up, the Sabres are on an impressive eight-game winning streak.
Quinn was the star of the night, netting a hat trick and tallying four points. This surge has Buffalo eyeing their first playoff berth in over a decade.
The Sharks found themselves in a quick 2-0 hole just six minutes into the game. It's been a recurring theme, as they've given up the first goal in five consecutive games.
While they've managed to scrape points in those outings, it's been a nail-biting experience. Defensive lapses were glaring last night, and if the Sharks hope to end their own playoff drought, they'll need to address these issues pronto.
Next, the Sharks head to Boston to face the Bruins on March 12th.
Puck Management Woes
It's simple: control the puck, control the game. For the Sharks, puck management was a glaring issue.
Despite having talented forwards like Macklin Celebrini, who is relentless on the forecheck, and Will Smith, whose vision can make any teammate shine, turnovers plagued every line. Alex Wennberg's patience with the puck is usually a strength, but last night, the team struggled to maintain possession.
Defensively, John Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov had a rough outing with multiple turnovers. While they sometimes managed to recover, too often they were caught out of position. With the trade deadline behind them, this is the group the Sharks will rely on, and tightening up puck management is crucial for any postseason hopes.
Celebrini's Milestone
Amidst the struggles, Macklin Celebrini hit a milestone, scoring his 33rd goal of the season and marking his fourth consecutive game with a goal. This makes him the third fastest teenager in NHL history to reach 90 points in a season, trailing only legends Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
Celebrini’s goal was timely, coming when the Sharks were down 2-0. His relentless forecheck forced a turnover, allowing Will Smith to set him up for a slick backhand finish past Alex Lyon.
Keep Shooting, Will
William Eklund is riding a 19-game goal drought, with his last goal being an overtime winner in Los Angeles on January 7th. Despite the dry spell, Eklund's effort and knack for getting into scoring positions remain evident.
It's a matter of time and persistence before the puck finds the net again. His dedication is clear, and Sharks fans are hopeful he'll break through soon, just as he did against the Kings.
Highlight Reel
Macklin Celebrini's 90th point was a beauty. His forecheck forced a turnover, and he was ready for Smith's pass, leaving Buffalo in the dust. The Smith-Celebrini duo is one to watch for years to come.
Scoring Summary: San Jose Sharks at Buffalo Sabres, March 10, 2026
First Period
- 04:12 BUF Jack Quinn from Jason Zucker and Ryan McLeod
- 05:39 BUF Alex Tuch from Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson
- 12:54 SJS Macklin Celebrini from Will Smith
Second Period
- 04:59 BUF Beck Malenstyn from Payton Krebs and Rasmus Dahlin
- 08:51 BUF Jason Zucker from Jack Quinn and Owen Power
- 19:29 SJS Kiefer Sherwood from Mario Ferraro and Alex Wennberg