This season has been a period of rebuilding, growth and developing the team’s skills. The San Jose Sharks have struggled to find themselves out of the bottom of the league. Each game, win or lose, is never the same in the end.

After Utah put three shots on the Sharks’ following Nick Bjugstad’s faceoff win over Mikael Granlund, Barrett Hayton took control of a loose puck, created some space for himself, and from near the top of the circle, fired a shot that beat Georgiev short side with 1:32 left in regulation time.

Zach Werenski climbs higher, the Blue Jackets are watching the standings closer and the San Jose Sharks were overmatched: 3 takeaways

A strong first two periods helped the Blue Jackets survive a third-period push from the Sharks before van Riemsdyk found the empty net.

Watch the Game Highlights from Columbus Blue Jackets vs. San Jose Sharks, 01/16/2025

They didn’t get to six goals, but the Blue Jackets did move into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference over the Boston Bruins by extending their season-high winning streak to six straight games Thursday at Nationwide Arena.