Sharks Put on a Show, Handle Mammoth 6-3 Behind Smith, Toffoli, and Regenda
The San Jose Sharks welcomed the Utah Mammoth to SAP Center and sent them home with a lot to think about. Behind a pair of goals each from Tyler Toffoli and rookie Will Smith, plus tallies from Pavol Regenda and Adam Gaudette, the Sharks skated to a commanding 6-3 win that was as entertaining as it was telling.
This game had a little bit of everything-highlight-reel goals, defensive miscues, crowd drama, and a statement performance from a Sharks team that’s been looking to turn the corner. Let’s break it down.
First Period: Toffoli Breaks Through, Regenda Steps Up
The night started with a little extra spice. Utah’s Mikhail Sergachev became Public Enemy No. 1 in San Jose after skipping the ceremonial handshake with mascot Sharkie-who, by the way, was being honored as a Mascot Hall of Famer. The crowd didn’t forget, letting him hear it with every puck touch.
On the ice, the Sharks wasted no time setting the tone. Tyler Toffoli snapped a 12-game goalless streak with a much-needed finish off a slick feed from Will Smith behind the net.
There was some debate about whether Macklin Celebrini deserved the primary assist, but the bigger story was Toffoli finally getting one to go. You could almost feel the weight lift off his shoulders.
Then came the power play. Celebrini, showing off his elite vision, found Timothy Liljegren with a gorgeous pass that drew a penalty from none other than Sergachev.
That set up the Sharks’ second power-play unit, and they made it count. Pavol Regenda, recently called up, parked himself net-front and redirected a Kurashev shot-pass past Karel Vejmelka.
It was the kind of greasy goal you love to see from a depth guy stepping into a big spot.
But just when it looked like San Jose might cruise, defensive lapses crept in. A turnover at the blue line by Shakir Mukhamadullin gave Utah life, and Lawson Crouse cashed in after a soft defensive effort from both Mukhamadullin and Jason Dickinson. That one stung-a 5-foot-9 forward shouldn’t be able to thread a pass through like that.
Still, the Sharks responded. Toffoli struck again off a clean faceoff win, beating Vejmelka and chasing him from the net.
Vitek Vanecek came in, but the damage was done. That goal restored order and showed exactly why the Sharks brought Toffoli in-to score in big moments and settle the bench when things get shaky.
Utah got one back late in the period, with JJ Peterka scoring off a questionable icing call that gave the Mammoth an offensive-zone draw. That one was on Yaroslav Askarov-he’d want that shot back. But even with the late goal, the Sharks headed into the second with the edge.
Second Period: Smith Steals the Show
The second frame belonged to Will Smith. And if you missed it, go find the highlight-because his first goal of the night was something special.
He danced through two defenders, deked Vanecek out of his pads, and slid the puck home for what’s easily one of the best goals of the Sharks’ season-maybe even the year. It was pure artistry, the kind of play that makes you believe this kid is going to be a star.
Before that, though, the Sharks had to weather a few storms. Barclay Goodrow took a penalty, and the fourth line struggled to find their rhythm. Defensively, San Jose was a bit loose at times-William Eklund had a couple of moments he’ll want to learn from, including a high-risk pass on a tired shift that nearly turned into a transition chance the other way.
But the Sharks kept pressing. After a poor exit attempt from Utah’s Clayton Keller, Eklund jumped the play and found Gaudette, who finished with a slick backhand under the bar. That made it 5-2 and gave the Sharks a cushion they wouldn’t relinquish.
Smith wasn’t done. Later in the period, he buried another one-this time off a clean feed from Toffoli.
The rookie showed great patience, dragging the puck and picking his spot. That goal made it 6-2, and the Sharks looked like the team that had been on the wrong end of games like this in recent years.
Not anymore.
Credit to players like Nikita Okhotiuk and Liljegren, too-both made smart, gritty plays to snuff out potential Utah chances. This was a full-team effort, and it showed.
Third Period: Sharks Coast, But Not Without a Warning Sign
With a four-goal lead heading into the third, the Sharks didn’t need to push the pace. But they did need to stay sharp. That didn’t quite happen.
Early in the period, Ryan Reaves laid a big hit on Sergachev, and the crowd erupted. But shortly after, Crouse scored again-this time short-handed-on a play that was all too casual from San Jose.
That kind of lapse, even with a big lead, is the sort of thing coaches circle on the game tape. You can’t give up shorties when you’re trying to close out a win.
Peterka nearly added another on a breakaway, but Askarov stood tall. That was the wake-up call the Sharks needed, and they tightened up the rest of the way.
Final Thoughts: Sharks Flip the Script
This game was more than just two points in the standings. It was a glimpse of what this Sharks team might become.
Will Smith is blossoming into a dynamic offensive weapon. Toffoli found his scoring touch.
Regenda looked like he belonged. And the crowd?
They were into it from puck drop to final horn-especially with the Sharkie drama adding some spice.
For Utah, this was a humbling night. For San Jose, it was a reminder that the rebuild might be turning a corner-and that this team has the firepower and depth to make things interesting.
If this is the version of the Sharks we’re going to see more often, the rest of the West might want to pay attention.