The San Jose Sharks are placing their confidence in rookie goaltender Yaroslav Askarov as he steps into a leading role for the team. After starting the season splitting time with veteran Alex Nedeljkovic, Askarov is now the main choice in net for the Sharks. Following a series of alternating starts, Askarov has shown significant progress, having started 21 of the last 31 games, despite facing health challenges that caused him to miss three games during a recent five-game road trip.
The 23-year-old goaltender has made a mark in franchise history with a standout performance in November, posting an impressive 8-2-0 record and a .944 Save Percentage, making it one of the best months of goaltending the team has seen. While December has been tougher for Askarov, his resilience has led to four wins, giving him a season total of 13-10-1 and a .898 Save Percentage. His +8.1 Goals Saved Above Expected metric ranks him 31st among 81 goalies, showcasing his potential and learning curve as he adapts to NHL competition.
Askarov is now positioned to become the first Sharks goaltender since James Reimer in the 2021-22 season to achieve more than 12 wins in a single year, with an eye on reaching 20 wins as a significant milestone. The last Sharks goalie to notch 20 victories was Martin Jones during the 2018-19 season, notably the last time the team qualified for the playoffs.
In their upcoming match against the Anaheim Ducks, Askarov will head the Sharks’ lineup, which is maintaining the same roster that overcame the Vancouver Canucks with a 6-3 victory. Coach Ryan Warsofsky noted that defenseman Timothy Liljegren is expected to return to practice, while updates on other injured players remain uncertain.
As the Sharks prepare to face the Ducks at the Honda Center at 7 PM PT, fans can watch the action live on NBC Sports California or listen via the Sharks Audio Network. The Sharks, currently holding an 18-17-3 record, continue to build on their performance as they navigate the season with a bright future ahead, anchored by Askarov’s development in goal.