San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens: did Macklin Celebrini and Alex Nedeljkovic turn the Bell Centre into a breakaway stage?

San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens recap: the San Jose Sharks moved to 32-26 with 6 overtime losses and 4 points after a 4-2 road result, while the Montreal Canadiens went to 36-19 with 10 overtime losses and 2 points at the Bell Centre.

First period

The Sharks opened the scoring with 1 goal in the first period while the Canadiens also produced 1 goal in the opening period.

The Sharks finished the period leaning on even-strength offense that ended with 4 even-strength goals in the game, and they carried a 19 percent shooting rate on 21 shots overall.

The Canadiens set an early tone on draws by winning 61 percent of the faceoffs on 61 total, a game flow detail that kept possession rotating through Montreal’s top lines.

Second period

The Sharks added 2 goals in the second period, and Macklin Celebrini authored a 3-point night with 2 goals and 1 assist on 3 shots.

San Jose’s blue line contributed to that surge as John Klingberg logged 2 assists, and Mario Ferraro scored 1 goal on 2 shots with a 50 percent shooting rate.

The Canadiens answered with 1 goal in the second period, and Nick Suzuki landed among the game’s 3 stars for Montreal.

The Habs also generated 4 power-play shots across 3 opportunities, but the scoreboard stayed unchanged on those chances with 0 power-play goals.

Third period

The Sharks tacked on 1 goal in the third period, and the team’s lone empty-net goal sealed the late margin.

Alex Nedeljkovic closed the door for the Sharks with 25 saves on 27 shots against while recording 4 shorthanded saves as Montreal pressed.

San Jose’s physical work showed in 23 hits and 14 blocked shots, and Kiefer Sherwood led the Sharks skaters with 5 hits.

The Canadiens finished with 27 shots and 22 hits, but their 7 percent shooting rate reflected how often Nedeljkovic kept rebounds from turning into second looks.

San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens tactical recap: San Jose stayed even-strength heavy with 4 even-strength goals while Montreal’s power play ended at 0-for-3 despite 4 shots.

The game-changing plays San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens included Celebrini’s 3 points and the Sharks’ empty-net finish that turned late pressure into a settled road result.

For post-game thoughts San Jose Sharks, the next broadcast comes on 3/15/2026 at 5:00 PM EDT when the Sharks visit the the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with viewing on ESPN+ and NBCS-CA.

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