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Sharks win 4th straight to improve playoff hopes, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1

Sharks win 4th straight to improve playoff hopes, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1 | iNFOnews.ca
San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) collides with Toronto Maple Leafs center Bo Groulx (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/John Hefti)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Zack Ostapchuk scored his first goal in nearly three months and the San Jose Sharks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Collin Graf, William Eklund and Adam Gaudette also scored and Alex Nedeljkovic made 18 saves.

San Jose holds the second wild-card spot in the crowded Western Conference, with Nashville and Los Angeles even in points but each with one more game. The Sharks had the worst record in the NHL last season and haven’t made the playoffs since 2018-19.

Sharks star Macklin Celebrini was scoreless after having nine points in his previous three games.

John Tavares scored a power-play goal for Toronto. The Maple Leafs have lost two of three on a four-game trip.

Up next

Maple Leafs: At Los Angeles on Saturday.

Sharks: Host Nashville on Saturday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Sharks win 4th straight to improve playoff hopes, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs center Max Domi (11) reacts after he misses a shot against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Sharks win 4th straight to improve playoff hopes, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) saves a shot by San Jose Sharks center Zack Ostapchuk (63) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/John Hefti)

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The Associated Press

Michael Wagaman

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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