In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini led the San Jose Sharks to a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. The 19-year-old center showcased his skills by scoring a goal and assisting another, extending his point streak to seven games.
Macklin Celebrini Shines for the Sharks
Celebrini’s performance reflects his ongoing ascent in the NHL. During his streak, he has achieved five goals and nine assists. This victory was crucial for San Jose, bringing their record to 18 wins, 17 losses, and 3 overtime losses. It ended a three-game losing stretch for the team.
Other Contributions
Several Sharks players contributed to the victory:
- Igor Chernyshov scored his first NHL goal and added an assist.
- Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg, William Eklund, and Collin Graf each found the net as well.
- Yaroslav Askarov stopped 24 of 27 shots, playing a key role in the win.
The Canucks displayed some offensive strength but ultimately fell short. They managed:
- A power-play goal from Linus Karlsson.
- A short-handed tally from Drew O’Connor.
- An even-strength goal from Marco Rossi, marking his first goal with Vancouver.
Recent Trades and Game Highlights
Rossi was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in a major trade involving star defenseman Quinn Hughes on December 12. This blockbuster trade also brought wingers Liam Ohgren and defenseman Zeev Buium to the Canucks.
In a notable return, Elias Pettersson played in his 500th regular-season NHL game after recovering from an upper-body injury. Conor Garland and Filip Hronek each recorded two assists during the contest.
Upcoming Games
San Jose’s victory sets them up for their next challenge against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday. Meanwhile, Vancouver will travel to face the Seattle Kraken on the same day.
Season Performance Overview
This season has been challenging for the Canucks at home, with only four wins out of 16 games (4-11-1), despite a strong 4-1-0 record on their pre-Christmas road trip through major cities like New Jersey and New York.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to improve their standings. Celebrini’s continued excellence could be pivotal for the Sharks, while the Canucks seek to turn their home performance around.
