Nedeljkovic has unforgettable game as Sharks rough up Florida Panthers
If the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs for the first time in seven years this season, they might look back at what happened on Monday as a big reason why.
The Sharks started the day by bolstering their lineup – and seemingly their postseason hopes – by acquiring do-it-all forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks.
Then, fueled by the belief that general manager Mike Grier showed in the group by making the trade for Sherwood, the Sharks earned a galvanizing 4-1 win — which included a goalie fight — over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
The Sharks played one of their better second periods of the season in the victory, scoring three times in 5:22 to take a 3-0 lead at the 6:12 mark. Forward Will Smith scored his 14th of the season just 50 seconds into the period, followed by goals by defensemen Vincent Desharnais and Mario Ferraro 3:31 apart.
That was enough offense for goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who finished with 35 saves, including 16 in the third period, in an unforgettable performance.
A scrum between the Sharks and Panthers to the right of the San Jose net turned into a rare goalie fight, as Nedeljkovic and Sergei Bobrovsky went toe-to-toe early in the third period.
Desharnais upended Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich along the boards in the San Jose end. Evan Rodrigues then came in and leveled Desharnais with a hit from behind.
That caused a melee to the side of the Sharks’ net, with Nedeljkovic jumping to get a piece of Rodrigues. A few seconds later, Bobrovsky skated the length of the ice to get at Nedeljkovic.
Nedeljkovic’s mask came off first, and Bobrovsky’s was ripped off a bit later as the two goalies tried to land right hands. Nedeljkovic appeared to make contact with his last punch before he landed on top of Bobrovsky to end the fight.
“I didn’t really expect consequences of doing it, to be honest with you,” Nedeljkovic said on NBC Sports California. “I got a little surprised when (Bobrovsky) came down. But I would do it all over again, for (Desharnais), for whoever. and I think that just speaks to how close we are in that locker room and how far we’ve come as a team.”
GOALIE FIGHT IN FLORIDA: Alex Nedeljkovic and Sergei Bobrovsky #TheFutureIsTeal #TimeToHuntpic.twitter.com/Xc0MLS6XKu
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) January 20, 2026
Both Nedeljkovic and Bobrovsky were assessed five-minute fighting majors and two-minute minors for leaving the crease at the 6:00 mark of the third period, when the Sharks held a 3-1 lead.
Sharks players on the bench, including Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa, went wild with approval.
“I tripped (Samoskevich), and then I got hit from behind,” Desharnais said. “I was on the ice trying not to get stepped on, and I got up, and I just saw (Nedeljkovic) and (Bobrovsky) going at it. I was like, ‘Did I miss something here?’ But it was a great fight.
“I don’t think (tough guy Ryan Reaves) needs to teach (Nedeljkovic) anything. Maybe (Nedeljkovic) can teach a thing or two to (Reaves). That was awesome.”
The Sharks (25-20-3) now have 53 points, one more than they had all of last season when they finished with the NHL’s worst record (20-50-12). The Sharks’ four-game road trip ends on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Desharnais, who was activated off injured reserve before Monday’s game, finished with a team-leading six hits, including one in the first period that leveled Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk in the neutral zone.
Desharnais has missed the last seven-plus weeks with an upper-body injury, last playing on Nov. 26, when the Sharks lost 6-0 to the Colorado Avalanche. Desharnais was not injured in that game, but said Monday he needed time away to have surgery to repair a bothersome elbow.
It didn’t take long for Desharnais to get involved, as he and Tkachuk got into a scuffle at the 8:41 mark of the first period. Both were given roughing penalties, with Desharnais getting the extra minor for slashing.
Tkachuk was making his season-debut for the Panthers after he had surgery in August to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia. He last played on June 17, 2025, when the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 to win the Stanley Cup Final in six games.
Earlier Monday, the Sharks acquired forward Sherwood from the Canucks for second-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027 and AHL defenseman Cole Clayton.
The Sharks (24-20-3) entered this week locked in a tight playoff battle. San Jose, before Monday’s games, was the Western Conference’s second wild-card team with 51 points, the same as Pacific Division rivals Seattle Kraken, Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings. The Nashville Predators are right behind with 50 points.