Sharks Fall to Mammoth 6-3, Remain Winless After Costly Mistake

UPDATE: In a devastating turn of events, the San Jose Sharks remain winless this season after a heartbreaking 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on October 18, 2025. The game, held at the Delta Center, saw a costly turnover by goalie Yaroslav Askarov that shifted the momentum back to the Mammoth, sealing the Sharks’ fate.

The Sharks staged an impressive second-period comeback, overcoming a 2-0 deficit with goals from Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Skinner. However, late in the second period, Askarov mishandled the puck behind the net, allowing Liam O’Brien to score, marking O’Brien’s first goal since April 17, 2014. This blunder proved pivotal, as the Mammoth regained control and never looked back.

Early in the third period, Nick Schmaltz completed a hat trick, scoring his third goal of the season, followed by additional goals from Michael Carcone and Clayton Keller. Although Macklin Celebrini finally found the net for the Sharks at the 16:51 mark in the third period, it was too little, too late, as San Jose remains the last winless team in the NHL with a record of 0-3-1.

Askarov, who recorded 28 saves, faced intense pressure after a tough loss to the Anaheim Ducks earlier this month. The Sharks were outplayed significantly in the first period, with penalties from defensemen Nick Leddy and Dmitry Orlov contributing to a challenging start.

Toffoli’s goal came during the Sharks’ first power play, produced by a rebound from Karel Vejmelka’s save. Skinner’s goal, however, was a fluke; a backhand pass intended for Celebrini deflected off a Mammoth defender and into the net.

Looking ahead, the Sharks will host the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow at the SAP Center, where Alex Nedeljkovic is expected to start. Fans are eager for a turnaround as the Sharks look to finally secure their first victory of the season.

Tomorrow’s Matchup: The Sharks face off against the Penguins, who currently hold a 3-2-0 record. Fans are hopeful that a change in goalkeeping can spark the team to end their winless streak.