The San Jose Sharks delivered a statement win at the SAP Center on January 6, 2026, overpowering the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 in a game that had a little bit of everything—clutch scoring, gritty fights, and some high drama between the pipes. For Sharks fans, it was a night to remember, with Pavol Regenda and Alexander Wennberg taking center stage and the home team continuing their hot streak with their fourth victory in five outings.
Let’s set the scene: Both teams entered the matchup with something to prove. The Blue Jackets, starting a critical four-game road trip, were looking to build momentum after an uneven first half of the season. Meanwhile, the Sharks, fresh off a tough 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, were eager to bounce back and solidify their place as one of the league’s most improved squads in recent weeks.
The first period saw both sides trading chances, but it was San Jose who broke through in the dying moments. With just 49 seconds left on the clock, Tyler Toffoli sent a long pass up the ice to Alexander Wennberg, who wasted no time setting up Pavol Regenda. The rookie forward, enjoying a breakout stretch, roofed the puck past Columbus netminder Jet Greaves, notching his sixth goal in just five NHL games this season. Regenda’s impact since his recall has been nothing short of remarkable, and his confidence was on full display.
As the second period unfolded, the Sharks found another gear. Early in the frame, they doubled their lead on the power play. Wennberg, facing his former team and fresh off signing a three-year, $18 million contract extension, took a slick pass from William Eklund and drove hard to the crease. With a deft backhand, he slipped the puck between Greaves’ pads, making it 2-0 and giving San Jose a cushion. "It’s all about the team," Wennberg told reporters after the game. "I’m just happy to find a way to win this game."
The Blue Jackets, however, refused to go quietly. Despite being outshot 17-6 in the middle frame, they clawed back late in the period. Dmitri Voronkov threaded a beautiful cross-ice pass to Zach Werenski, and the Olympian made no mistake, firing a laser into the top left corner for his 16th goal of the campaign. The tally extended Werenski’s point streak to eight games and gave Columbus a much-needed spark heading into the third.
But it wasn’t just the scoreboard heating up. Seconds after Werenski’s goal, tempers flared at center ice. Mathieu Olivier and Sharks enforcer Ryan Reaves dropped the gloves in what quickly turned into a heavyweight slugfest. Both landed heavy shots, but it was Olivier who ultimately sent Reaves to the ice with a decisive right hand. The SAP Center crowd roared as Reaves, a veteran of over 150 professional fights, was briefly shaken and required concussion protocol before returning for the third period. "If that fight doesn’t get you going, something’s wrong," Werenski told FanDuel Sports Network during the intermission.
The third period opened with Columbus pressing hard, outshooting the Sharks 18-9 as they hunted for the equalizer. But it was San Jose who struck first. With just under five minutes left, Zack Ostapchuk capitalized on a broken play, blazing down the ice on a breakaway and beating Greaves to restore the two-goal lead. Yet, the Blue Jackets wouldn’t fold. Only 11 seconds later, Sean Monahan, returning from a week-long absence, found a loose puck after Ivan Provorov’s point shot and buried it for his sixth goal of the season, pulling Columbus back within one.
As the clock ticked down, the Blue Jackets pulled Greaves for the extra attacker, desperately searching for a tying goal. Instead, the Sharks slammed the door shut. Mario Ferraro and rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini each found the empty net in the final minutes, sealing the 5-2 victory. For Celebrini, the goal extended his impressive point streak to 11 games, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
Goaltending played a pivotal role throughout the night. Jet Greaves stood tall for Columbus, making 31 saves and keeping his team in the contest despite sustained Sharks pressure. At the other end, Alex Nedeljkovic returned to the San Jose crease for his first start since December 18, stopping 34 shots and earning his first win since December 11. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky praised his team’s resilience, stating, "We talked about bouncing back, but we got to move on and continue to get better. I thought our game tonight, we got better as the game went on."
The win did come with a cost for San Jose, however. Late in the second period, center Ty Dellandrea suffered an injury after losing an edge and crashing legs-first into the post. Dellandrea, who had become a key penalty killer and faceoff specialist for the Sharks, was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Warsofsky did not provide an update on Dellandrea’s condition postgame, leaving his status for upcoming contests uncertain.
Beyond the final score, the stat sheet painted a picture of a tightly contested battle. Both teams finished with 36 shots on goal, and the Blue Jackets actually held a 58% edge in faceoffs. Columbus also led in shot attempts at even strength, controlling 58.9% of the play. Yet, the Sharks’ opportunistic scoring and timely saves made all the difference.
For the Blue Jackets, the defeat dropped them to 18-17-7 on the season. Coach Pascal Vincent’s squad showed flashes of promise—Werenski’s hot streak, Monahan’s timely return, and a gutsy effort from Olivier—but ultimately couldn’t overcome San Jose’s late surge. The team now turns its attention to the next stop on their road trip: a showdown with the Vegas Golden Knights on January 8. The last time these teams met, Vegas rallied in the third period to edge Columbus 3-2, so expect the Blue Jackets to come out hungry and looking for redemption.
Meanwhile, the Sharks keep rolling, with four wins in their last five and a busy week ahead. They’ll hit the road to face the Los Angeles Kings before returning home for back-to-back games against the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. With Wennberg and Regenda firing on all cylinders and Celebrini’s point streak still alive, San Jose’s blend of youthful energy and veteran savvy is paying dividends.
In the end, it was a night that captured the best of NHL hockey: skill, toughness, and plenty of drama. As both teams move forward, fans will be watching closely to see who can build on the momentum—and who will bounce back from a hard-fought battle in San Jose.