Anaheim Ducks clinched a Western Conference playoff berth Monday, ending a seven-year postseason drought. The team, which had just a 3-5-2 record in its last 10 games, secured the spot after San Jose's 3-2 loss to Nashville. The Sharks were eliminated in the seventh straight season, missing the playoffs for the sixth time in their first 27 years. Macklin Celebrini's two goals, including a game-winning empty-netter, highlighted his breakout season with 44 goals and 30 multipoint games, tying historic Shark records.

Celebrini's performance extended his franchise record, placing him second in single-season goal totals behind Jonathan Cheechoo. San Jose's Igor Chernyshov opened the scoring with a power-play goal, while Nashville's Justus Annunen made 20 saves in defeat. The win snapped Nashville's longest winning streak against a single opponent, but the loss cemented Anaheim's playoff position despite a shaky regular season.

The Ducks' playoff return comes after a 2017 finals appearance, though they've yet to win a postseason series since. Their two remaining games could determine seeding, with the Western Conference race intensifying. Meanwhile, the Sharks' elimination marks a painful continuation of their struggles, despite recent efforts to rebuild.

This NHL playoff race underscores the Ducks' resilience and the Sharks' ongoing challenges. With Celebrini emerging as a star and San Jose's drought persisting, the 2026 postseason will test Anaheim's ability to translate regular-season success into deep playoff runs.