Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PDT / 10:00 PM EDT
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
TV/Streaming: Victory+, NBCSCA (Sharks), KCOP-13 (Ducks); available on ESPN+ in select markets.
Team Records and Standings Context
Anaheim Ducks: 41-32-5 (87 points), 3rd in the Pacific Division and in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race (holding a wild-card position with games remaining). They average 3.19 goals for and 3.54 against per game. Strong home record: 23-13-3.
San Jose Sharks: 37-33-7 (81 points), 5th in the Pacific and on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot (trailing by several points but still mathematically alive in a crowded West). They score 3.05 goals per game while allowing 3.53. Road record: 16-19-2.
Both Pacific Division rivals are in the final stretch of the regular season. Anaheim desperately needs points to solidify playoff positioning amid a recent slump, while San Jose plays spoiler with nothing to lose and recent momentum.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5-10 Games)
Ducks: 1-4-1 in the last 6 (0-4-1 in the most recent 5). They have dropped four straight regulation decisions, including a shutout home loss to Nashville (0-5) on April 8, losses to Calgary and St. Louis, and a 4-3 defeat in San Jose on April 1. Offensive output has dried up during the skid.
Sharks: 4-1 in their last 5 (including wins over Chicago, Toronto, Anaheim, and St. Louis). They are riding a hot stretch with timely scoring and improved defensive structure, though they did lose to Nashville earlier in the week.
Injury Report
Anaheim Ducks (updates expected after morning skate):
Cutter Gauthier (LW): Day-to-day / Out (upper body) – team leader with 38 goals and 65 points; missed multiple recent games.
Radko Gudas (D): Out (lower body).
Petr Mrazek (G): Out for season (lower body).
Jansen Harkins (C): Out (upper body).
Ross Johnston (LW): Out (lower body).
Significant absences, especially up front and on the blue line.
San Jose Sharks:
Ryan Reaves (RW): Out (hamstring).
Logan Couture (C): Long-term IR.
Depth forward missing, but core lineup otherwise intact.
Player Matchups and Key Players to Watch
Sharks Offense vs. Ducks Defense: Macklin Celebrini continues to dominate as a rookie phenom (41G, 66A, 107P). Look for secondary scoring from players like William Smith and forward depth. San Jose’s special teams (PP 20.6%) could exploit Anaheim’s depleted blueline.
Ducks Counter: Without Gauthier, expect more from Troy Terry, Leo Carlsson, and net-front presence. Anaheim’s offense has struggled lately but remains dangerous at home.
Goaltending Duel: Sharks likely turn to Yaroslav Askarov (solid recent form) or Alex Nedeljkovic. Ducks will rely on Lukas Dostal (Mrazek out for season). Both teams rank near the bottom in goals-against average, suggesting potential for high-event hockey.
Physical Pacific rivalry play, net-front battles, and special teams will be decisive.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
The Sharks lead the season series 2-1.
April 1, 2026: Sharks 4-3 (home).
December 29, 2025: Sharks 5-4 (at Anaheim).
October 11, 2025: Ducks 7-6 OT (at San Jose).
San Jose has taken the last two meetings, including a comeback win in the most recent matchup.
Betting Trends
Ducks: Struggling badly (0-4-1 last 5), yet strong home favorites historically; however, recent home losses and injuries are concerning. OVER has hit in several recent games.
Sharks: Winning 4 of last 5; strong in recent head-to-heads vs. Anaheim; road underdogs but covering lately.
Game Odds
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Anaheim Ducks – 180
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 8, 2026
