Entering the final stretch of the season, the Sharks demonstrated remarkable resilience after finishing with the NHL's worst record the previous year. Their late-season push included:
The swept their regular-season series against the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2025–26 season, capped off by a decisive 4–1 victory at SAP Center on April 2, 2026. This win was a critical turning point for the Sharks, as it propelled them into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Maple Leafs Thu, Apr 2 Sharks won! Sharks Rising: Playoff Hopes and Season Highlights San Jose Sharks - Toronto Maple Leafs
: Captain Auston Matthews missed significant time during the season following a collision in early 2026. 2025–26 Head-to-Head Results The Sharks dominated the two-game series between the teams: Dec 11, 2025 Scotiabank Arena San Jose Sharks 3–2 (OT) Apr 2, 2026 SAP Center San Jose Sharks Entering the final stretch of the season, the
: Despite the team's struggles, John Tavares remained a consistent force, scoring the lone power-play goal in the final meeting and recording his ninth 70-plus point season. Maple Leafs Thu, Apr 2 Sharks won
: The team saw significant changes, including the departure of Mitch Marner and the integration of newcomers like Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli .