Sharks set NHL record with historic losing streak to start season – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The Sharks didn't write their name in the NHL record books on Saturday night – but not in the way anyone would have hoped.

San Jose's 7-3 loss to the Las Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Center made the Sharks the first team in NHL history to lose nine straight games to start consecutive seasons.

After a promising opening night that nearly ushered in a new era for San Jose, things went downhill for the Sharks as they lost their ninth straight game, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of one of the franchise's two biggest rivals.

This comes a season after San Jose began the 2023-24 NHL season with 11 straight losses, tying the league record for most losses to start a season.

It's been a particularly difficult start for first-year coach Ryan Warsofsky, who is two losses short of breaking the NHL record for consecutive losses and beginning his coaching career.

“Good” news for Warsofsky: He’s still a few games away from the worst start of his NHL coaching career ever.

Andre Tourigny lost his first 11 games (0-10-1) with the Arizona Coyotes in 2021-22

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 27, 2024

After Saturday's loss, Warsofsky didn't mince his words when asked about the Sharks' historic losing streak.

“It's embarrassing. Really embarrassing,” Warsofsky said.

“It's embarrassing. Really embarrassing.”

Ryan Warsofsky on the Sharks' historic losing streak to start the season pic.twitter.com/UdF1X0yFzd

– Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) October 27, 2024

Injuries have certainly played their part, as No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini hasn't played in a game since his standout NHL debut despite suffering from a lower-body ailment.

Although the team's success this season is yet to come, Mikael Granlund continued his strong winning streak with another goal in Saturday's loss.

Mikael Granlund's strong road trip continues with another goal 💪 pic.twitter.com/frRnOKomQt

– Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) October 27, 2024

It was always going to be a bumpy road for the Sharks as they combined a core of young talent with a handful of newly acquired veterans, but it would have been hard to predict a historically bad start like this. Especially after San Jose led 4-1 in the third period of its opening loss to the St. Louis Blues.

The Sharks will look for their first win of the season in their first game of the regular season against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night at 6:00 pm PT.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast