Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Macklin Celebrini Nets OT Hat Trick to Reach 30 Points in 20 Games for Sharks

The 19-year-old's surge underscores San Jose's dependence, with coaches calling for sharper defending.

Overview

  • Celebrini scored all three goals, including a power-play winner in overtime, to beat the Utah Mammoth 3-2 and give him 30 points through San Jose’s first 20 games.
  • He joins Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby as the only teenagers to hit 30 points within the first 20 games of a season, and he set Sharks marks for most points and goals in that span.
  • San Jose improved to 9-8-3 and remains within reach of a playoff spot, aided by stretches of strong goaltending from Yaroslav Askarov.
  • Opponents are targeting Celebrini with top shutdown matchups, and he has been involved in roughly half of the Sharks’ goals, highlighting the team’s reliance on him.
  • Head coach Ryan Warsofsky warned the team is “playing with fire” due to defensive lapses and an inconsistent power play that is 4-for-37 over the last 11 games, even as Celebrini draws Team Canada Olympic interest.