Sharks Fall to Stars as Goalie’s Mistake Costs Key Goal

The San Jose Sharks suffered a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on December 19, 2025, largely due to a critical error by goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Despite showing promise in recent games, the Sharks were unable to capitalize on their momentum, leaving them facing challenges as they aim for their first playoff appearance since 2019.

The game took place at the SAP Center in San Jose, where a crowd of 15,808 witnessed the Sharks’ struggle to maintain control against a formidable Stars team. After trailing by two goals, the Sharks mounted a comeback effort in the third period. Macklin Celebrini won a faceoff in the Dallas zone, setting up Collin Graf to score his seventh goal of the season at the 16:44 mark.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Nedeljkovic mishandled a puck behind the net. Attempting to pass to Alexander Wennberg, his errant throw instead found Justin Hryckowian of the Stars, who easily scored at 19:17, extending Dallas’s lead to 4-2. This moment mirrored a similar miscue in the Sharks’ season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights, where Nedeljkovic also struggled with puck handling.

Nedeljkovic recorded 25 saves during the match, but his two notable mistakes ultimately overshadowed his performance. In addition to Graf’s efforts, Igor Chernyshov assisted on Graf’s second goal early in the third period, marking his second assist in just two NHL games. Shakir Mukhamadullin contributed to the scoreline as well, adding a goal for the Sharks, who had previously won four of their last five games before this defeat.

The Sharks now hold the second wild card position in the Western Conference, while the Stars improve their record to 23-7-5, sitting just four points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the NHL. Wyatt Johnston shone for Dallas, scoring two goals and helping to secure the victory, which ended San Jose’s three-game winning streak.

As the season progresses, the Sharks must address their vulnerabilities, particularly in goal, if they hope to make a serious playoff push. With the playoffs looming, maintaining consistency and minimizing costly errors will be crucial for the team’s success.