San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks Box Score & Stats – April 9, 2026

The Anaheim Ducks snapped a six-game losing streak on April 9, 2026, defeating the San Jose Sharks 6-1. The victory was highlighted by a career milestone for defenseman John Carlson, who recorded the first hat trick of his 17-year NHL career.

Carlson, who has played 1,156 games in the league, scored three goals to lead the Ducks to their first win since March 26. The Ducks established early dominance, jumping to a 4-0 lead and controlling the pace of the game against their Pacific Division rivals.

Carlson’s Milestone Performance

The veteran defenseman secured his hat trick in the third period, scoring two power-play goals in the final frame. His third goal came with 5:57 remaining in the game, marking a significant achievement for the player who was acquired by Anaheim at the trade deadline.

Since joining the Ducks, Carlson has recorded 12 points in 13 games. His presence has provided stability to a defensive unit that has been ranked among the worst in the NHL this season.

Game Progression and Scoring

The Ducks took control of the contest almost immediately. Leo Carlsson scored his 28th goal of the season less than three minutes after the opening faceoff, driving to the net to put Anaheim ahead.

The San Jose Sharks struggled to generate offense early in the game, failing to record their first shot on goal until 13 minutes into the first period. During that same period, John Carlson scored his second goal in a Ducks uniform, firing the puck home around a screen created by Beckett Sennecke.

In the second period, Alex Killorn scored his 14th goal of the season, tapping in a pass from Sennecke during a two-on-one rush. The Ducks extended their lead further when San Jose’s Collin Graf was penalized for hooking with 10:20 remaining in the second period. Carlson capitalized on the ensuing power play to score his second goal of the night.

Frank Vatrano added a late goal in the waning minutes of the game, marking only his second goal since December 7.

Statistical Summary and Goaltending

For the San Jose Sharks, Shakir Mukhamadullin scored the lone goal of the game. Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov faced a heavy barrage of shots, making 27 saves in the loss.

Lukas Dostal recorded 16 saves for the Ducks. Although the Ducks were dominant, they fell 7:20 short of recording their first shutout in 160 games. Their last shutout occurred on October 12, 2024, which also happened to be against the Sharks.

Beckett Sennecke contributed significantly to the offense, providing two assists during the victory.

Playoff Implications and Upcoming Schedule

The loss is a setback for the San Jose Sharks, who had won five of their previous seven games in a push to move into playoff contention.

Both teams will face the same opponent in their next outings. The San Jose Sharks are scheduled to host Vancouver on April 11, 2026, while the Anaheim Ducks will host Vancouver on April 12, 2026.