NHL: Sharks continue playoff push with win over Blackhawks

William Eklund scored a goal and added an assist to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

Kiefer Sherwood and Will Smith also scored for the Sharks (37-32-7, 81 points), who have won five of their last six games and remain two points shy of a playoff spot following the conclusion of the Predators-Kings game.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves, including several clutch stops in the final minute as the Blackhawks pushed for an equalizer. San Jose is aiming to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

For Chicago, Frank Nazar recorded a goal and an assist while Ryan Donato also scored. Goalie Spencer Knight stopped 20 shots. The Blackhawks (28-36-14, 70 points), already eliminated from playoff contention, sit 31st overall in the league standings, ahead of only the Vancouver Canucks.

Chicago got an early boost when Donato opened the scoring at 9:01 of the first period, converting a rebound just after a Blackhawks power play ended. With his assist on the goal, rising star Connor Bedard reached 200 career points.

Eklund tied the game at 6:57 of the second period after stealing the puck in his own zone and converting a breakaway chance. Sherwood gave the Sharks the lead with a precise one-timer from the top of the right circle off Eklund’s setup at 14:55 of the second period.

In the third period, Smith extended San Jose’s lead with a tap-in goal set up by a pinpoint pass from Collin Graf at 3:28. Nazar responded with a power-play goal for Chicago three minutes later, but the Blackhawks could not find the equalizer.

The Sharks’ win keeps them in strong contention for a playoff berth, while Chicago continues to struggle in a challenging season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters