We are entering a pivotal week for the San Jose Sharks as the NHL prepares to pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The “sprint to the break” concludes this week, followed by a league-wide shutdown. Here are the key storylines and upcoming schedule for the week of Feb. 2-9, 2026.
The Olympic Break Begins
The biggest story league-wide is the NHL pausing its regular season for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Sharks will play their final game on Wednesday, Feb. 4, before the freeze. Players selected for national teams (such as Macklin Celebrini for Canada) will head to Italy, while the rest of the roster gets a nearly three-week hiatus.
A “Turnaround” Season & Playoff Push
Unlike the previous season, the Sharks are competitively in the mix. Entering this week, the team holds a record of 27-22-4 (58 points), sitting 6th in the Pacific Division but only two points behind the Los Angeles Kings for a Wild Card spot. This represents a massive year-over-year improvement under head coach Ryan Warsofsky.
Macklin Celebrini’s Sophomore Dominance
Celebrini is having a superstar sophomore campaign. He has reportedly posted 79 points in 53 games (27 goals, 52 assists), making him one of the league’s top scorers and a central figure in the Sharks’ resurgence.
Trade Deadline Implications
With the trade deadline approaching in early March, general manager Mike Grier faces a different decision than in years past: buying for a playoff push or selling pending unrestricted free agents to maximize assets.
Sharks Schedule Feb. 2 – 9
| Date | Day | Opponent | Venue | Time (PT) | Notes |
| Feb. 2 | Monday | Chicago Blackhawks | United Center | 5:30 PM | Road game vs. fellow young stars |
| Feb. 4 | Wednesday | Colorado Avalanche | Ball Arena | 6:00 PM | Final game before Olympic Break |
| Feb. 6 | Friday | OLYMPIC BREAK | — | — | No NHL Games (Feb. 6 – Feb. 22) |
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