Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT)
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national/out-of-market); NBC Sports California (Sharks local); TSN3 / Sportsnet (Jets territory)
Radio: 680 CJOB (Jets) / 98.5 KFOX (Sharks)
Team Context
The visiting Jets sit 6th in the Central Division and outside the Western Conference playoff picture, needing a strong push to climb into a wild-card spot. Winnipeg has dealt with significant defensive injuries but still possesses elite scoring talent up front.
The host Sharks are 6th in the Pacific Division, also on the playoff bubble but with slightly better positioning and a more stable (though thin) roster. This is a critical late-season matchup for two teams fighting for positioning in a wide-open Western Conference race, with San Jose holding home-ice advantage at the SAP Center.
Recent Team Forms
Jets (2-2-1 in last 5, 50% points percentage): Winnipeg is streaky, coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to Anaheim on Feb. 27 (their second half of a back-to-back). They earned a gritty 3-2 OT road win at Vancouver on Feb. 25 but have been inconsistent defensively. Offense has been solid (averaging ~3.0 GF/G lately), but the blue line has been a major liability.
Sharks (0-4-1 in last 5, 10% points percentage): San Jose is slumping hard, losing four straight in regulation/OT including a 4-1 home defeat to Calgary on Feb. 26. They average 2.8 GF/G and 3.4 GA/G in this stretch. The post-Olympic break rust and injury issues have shown, though they remain competitive at home (14-10-3).
Injury Report
Winnipeg Jets:
- D Josh Morrissey (upper body) — OUT (IR, expected return ~March 3 or later; missed Olympic return).
- D Neal Pionk (lower body) — OUT (week-to-week, re-injured recently).
- RW Nino Niederreiter (undisclosed) — OUT (IR, week-to-week).
- D Haydn Fleury (upper body) — OUT (IR, week-to-week).
- D Colin Miller (knee) — OUT (IR, long-term).
- F Vladislav Namestnikov (lower body) — OUT (left Feb. 27 game vs. Anaheim, day-to-day at best).
Connor Hellebuyck is expected back in net after Olympic duty.
San Jose Sharks:
- C Ty Dellandrea (lower body) — OUT (IR, week-to-week; skated recently but not close).
- RW/C Tyler Toffoli (lower body) — Day-to-Day (missed recent games).
- Other long-term: C Logan Couture (groin, out for season).
- D Shakir Mukhamadullin — Day-to-Day (minor).
Otherwise relatively healthy for a rebuilding/contending mix.
Series History
Sharks lead the 2025-26 season series 1-0 after a 2-1 victory in Winnipeg on Nov. 7, 2025. Historically, the teams split most seasons, but San Jose has won the last two home meetings. Games are typically low-scoring and decided by special teams or goaltending.
Projected Lineups & Player Matchups
Winnipeg Jets (Coach: Scott Arniel)
Forwards
- Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi
- Nikolaj Ehlers – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
- Cole Perfetti – Vladislav Namestnikov (OUT) / depth – Alex Iafallo
- Depth: Rasmus Kupari, etc.
Defense (thin due to injuries)
Dylan Samberg – Logan Stanley / Elias Salomonsson
Colin Miller (OUT) pairings shift heavily; young call-ups expected. Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (expected starter, strong .900+ SV% post-Olympics) / Eric Comrie Key Matchups:
- Scheifele/Connor vs. Sharks’ top shutdown (Celebrini line + Mukhamadullin).
- Thin Jets D vs. San Jose’s speed (Celebrini, Zetterlund).
- Hellebuyck’s elite play vs. Sharks’ opportunistic offense.
San Jose Sharks (Coach: Ryan Warsofsky)
Forwards
- Macklin Celebrini – Tyler Toffoli (Q) / William Eklund – Fabian Zetterlund
- Mikael Granlund – Luke Kunin – Klim Kostin
- Ryan Reaves (if healthy) / depth – etc.
Defense
Mario Ferraro – Jake Walman
Shakir Mukhamadullin (Q) – Cody Ceci / others Goalies: Yaroslav Askarov (likely) or Mackenzie Blackwood
Key Matchups:
- Celebrini (emerging superstar) vs. Jets’ checking line (Lowry).
- Sharks forecheck vs. depleted Winnipeg blueline.
- Special teams battle — both teams middle-of-pack on PP/PK.
Betting Trends
- Jets are 0-4 as road favorites of -150 or shorter lately.
- OVER has hit in 6 of Jets’ last 9 vs. sub-.500 teams.
- Sharks are 2-3 ATS in last 5 and strong at home vs. Central Division foes.
- Winnipeg games trend OVER when defense is banged up (high-event).
- Sharks 1-0 this season vs. Jets; totals have stayed close to 6.5.
Game Odds
Winnipeg Jets – 125
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
