UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown last night, the San Jose Sharks triumphed over the Anaheim Ducks with a score of 5-4, marking their second victory since the holiday break. Macklin Celebrini shone brightly in this contest, becoming the third player this season to reach 60 points after netting a goal and providing two assists.
The action unfolded on December 25, 2023, at the Honda Center, where the Sharks managed to secure the win despite being heavily outshot 43-13. Yaroslav Askarov, in goal for San Jose, made an impressive 38 saves, helping his team withstand the Ducks’ onslaught.
Ducks’ star Troy Terry scored two goals in the match, while Cutter Gauthier recorded his 19th goal of the season, and Pavel Mintyukov also found the net. However, the Ducks suffered their third consecutive loss and slipped out of first place in the Pacific Division, having lost seven of their last nine games.
Celebrini’s remarkable performance included his 21st goal of the season, scored late in the first period, and he assisted on Igor Chernyshov’s second career goal in the second. This marks his seventh multipoint game of December, achieving 60 points in just 39 games—the highest total by a teenager before New Year’s Day in NHL history. His points streak now extends to eight games, showcasing his rising talent in the league.
In a dramatic moment, Celebrini briefly left the ice after being struck in the face by a deflected puck but returned shortly after, much to the relief of Sharks fans. Alexander Wennberg was instrumental in setting up San Jose’s first two goals with exceptional passing, while a costly turnover by Askarov allowed the Ducks to capitalize, with Terry scoring from a gifted opportunity.
The Sharks scored on two of their three shots in the second period, despite not registering a shot on goal for the first 11 minutes of the third. Zach Ostapchuk extended San Jose’s lead to 5-3 with a long tip-in with just over six minutes remaining. Terry’s rapid response made it 5-4 after he scored with Mrazek pulled from the net.
Looking ahead, the Ducks will attempt to break their losing streak as they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Honda Center on Wednesday. Fans will be eager to see if Anaheim can rebound and reclaim their place at the top of the division.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the NHL season progresses!
