Celebrini is hitting another level as the Sharks continue to find their game

The Sharks have a superstar in Macklin Celebrini. That's not really news to Sharks fans. Celebrini has shown a different level of potential that  Sharks fans have seen since he first stepped on the ice for the Sharks. But his superstar potential is blossoming into superstar results early in the season. Just this week, Celebrini had 10 points in 4 games, leading the league in scoring during that time. 

Against the Wild on Sunday, the Sharks once again blew a multi-goal lead in the 3rd period, leading by two goals at two different points in the game. In overtime, the Wild had the Sharks pinned in their own zone for nearly four minutes. The Sharks were not even able to get a change until Eklund gambled and jetted off the ice on a risky change, but Askarov stood tall, Celebrini got on the ice, picked Faber's pocket, and scored on an ensuing breakaway, Willing the Sharks to a win in a game they would have easily lost just a week ago. 

It’s moments like this that help remind Sharks fans that despite the struggles on the ice and the inconsistency from shift to shift, the future of the team is in good hands and heading in an exciting direction. When Macklin Celebrini is on the ice, this team is different. 

It’s not just Celebrini who has picked up his play; William Eklund has also come on fire over the weekend, with 7 points in his last three games. Eklund and Celebrini have shown great chemistry on the power play, and it would be interesting to see how they look with more time together in 5v5 play. Still, the Sharks will likely continue to spread them out, playing Will Smith with Celebrini. An interesting line combo was used against the Wild out of necessity due to an Adam Gaudette upper-body injury. Eklund was double-shifted with Graf and Misa at points. This is an interesting combination and could be something to revisit in the future. Misa’s play has picked up over his last couple of games, and he added his first NHL goal on Sunday. Giving him 3 points in 5 games. In all likelihood, he has cemented himself as a regular NHLer for the Sharks. Likely with a development day here and there. 

The Game against the Wild wasn’t pretty. The Sharks played poor team defense and let Askarov out to dry on numerous occasions, but at the end of the day, they showed some mental toughness and pulled through. The young talent of the San Jose Sharks reminded fans that the future is teal.