Sharks’ Celebrini Talks Preseason Preparation, Will Play Against Ducks

Macklin Celebrini is in the lineup against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday as the San Jose Sharks play their third preseason game.

Celebrini and the rest of his line, including Will Smith and Mason Marchment, will also play. All three will feature on the top power-play unit.

While Celebrini could probably jump right into regular-season action, the Sharks center does have an appreciation for preseason games.

“Just try to play games as soon as possible. Scrimmage, battles-that’s stuff that you can’t really recreate throughout the summer,” Celebrini exclusively told SHD. “If you get enough guys together, it’s nice to kind of get in that game-type environment.”

Many teammates arrived in San Jose early to get in shape. But what happens during captains’ skates? Why are they so important? Celebrini explained how they can really help the San Jose Sharks this season.

“Working with our strength and conditioning coaches, our coaches, at some points. We ran through some drills that we were going to do during the year, just so new guys got familiar with them,” Celebrini said. “Finding a plan that just got what guys wanted to do. What guys wanted to work on, and also get into game shape.”

Celebrini knows how to work hard; that is no secret. But now he is getting the rest of his San Jose Sharks teammates on his level. But that also brings excitement. After all, hockey is a game these players love to play.

“It’s the start of a new season and a fresh slate for us. It’s the best time of year,” Celebrini said. “Our whole group was here early, working and making sure we were in shape and ready for the season. I feel like getting right to the systems and getting on the same page was exactly what we needed.”

Although the Sharks didn’t run lines at practice today, we should see similar combinations to what was displayed at practice on Wednesday. Alex Nedeljkovic will get his first action of the preseason in goal and will play the entire game.