With Alex Nedeljkovic already confirmed as the Sharks' starting goalie for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins, it is unclear if Askarov will be able to serve as his backup. It does not seem as though Askarov's injury is a long-term concern, given that he has not been completely ruled out of the game.
Nedeljkovic was lightly tested in his previous game, but allowed three goals on 14 shots (.786 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old goalie has been the more consistent Sharks' goalie in recent weeks, posting a 2.23 GAA and .919 SV% in his last nine appearances (6-1-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that is 13-0-0 on home ice since late December.
Chernyshov was effective while making his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring 11 points (3G / 8A) in 15 games with the Sharks, but has been in the AHL since mid-January. The 20-year-old second-round pick from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 41 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.
Eklund was absence from practice on Wednesday and his status for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins is up in the air. The 23-year-old Swedish forward has 38 points (11G / 27A) in 58 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in three straight.
Philipp Kurashev will draw back into San Jose's lineup on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Reaves to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 39-year-old Reaves is averaging 7:56 time-on-ice, recording three goals and 152 hits in 48 games this season.
Ryan Reaves will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Kurashev to re-enter the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres. The 26-year-old Kurashev is averaging 15:48 time-on-ice and has 20 points (7G / 13A) in 39 games this season.
The Sharks have run into some goal-scoring difficulties in recent games, which resulted in a loss for Askarov in his previous outing despite an outstanding 32-save performance (.941 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The 23-year-old Askarov has lost five of his last seven outings (2-3-2), posting an ugly 3.82 GAA and .878 SV%. The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as +177 road underdogs against the Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres, who have scored three or more goals in six consecutive games (6-0-0).
The Sharks have run into some goal-scoring difficulties in recent games, which resulted in a loss for Askarov in his previous outing despite an outstanding 32-save performance (.941 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The 23-year-old Askarov has lost five of his last seven outings (2-3-2), posting an ugly 3.82 GAA and .878 SV%. The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as +177 road underdogs against the Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres, who have scored three or more goals in six consecutive games (6-0-0).
Allan made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2024-25 season, scoring eight points (1G / 7A) in 43 games, but has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old defenseman has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 20 games with the Barracuda.
Leddy recently played his first AHL game in over a decade, but has been recalled by the Sharks. The 34-year-old veteran defenseman averaged 17:30 time-on-ice, recording four assists and a -9 plus/minus in 19 games with the Sharks earlier this season.
Fresh off signing a two-year contract extension with the Sharks, Nedeljkovic will tend the twine on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Nedeljkovic was excellent in his only outing since returning from the Olympic break, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic is boasting his most consistent campaign in several seasons, with a serviceable 2.83 GAA and .902 SV% in 26 appearances (11-9-2). The Sharks enter Friday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Blues team that has won three of their last four games (3-1-0).
The Sharks' goalie-of-the-future, Yaroslav Askarov, has struggled at times this season, and the team has been pleased with the support provided by counterpart Alex Nedeljkovic, who has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic is boasting his most consistent campaign in several seasons, with a serviceable 2.83 GAA and .902 SV% in 26 appearances (11-9-2).
Woo was a second round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but has yet to make his NHL debut. The 25-year-old defenseman scored eight points (1G / 7A) in 26 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season.
The Sharks acquired Sherwood in a trade earlier this season and have ensured he will be with the team for the foreseeable future after signing him to a lucrative five-year extension. The 30-year-old Sherwood has only played five games with the Sharks so far, scoring two points (1G / 1A) and recording 28 hits. He has become a reliable power forward in recent years, tallying 92 points (47G / 45A), 378 shots, and 934 hits in 195 games since the 2023-24 season.
