VANCOUVER– Macklin Celebrini did Macklin Celebrini things as he scored four points in the San Jose Sharks’ 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Rogers Arena.
The dynamic duo of Celebrini (1G, 3A) and Will Smith was nothing short of remarkable for the Sharks, who have won two straight. Smith finished with a goal and two assists, showcasing his skill all night. Sam Dickinson had two assists, and John Klingberg had a goal and an assist. Adam Gaudette and Tyler Toffoli also scored while Yaroslav Askarov got back on track, making 23 saves.
“We’re just trying to play off each other, read each other. I said before the game that that’s the biggest thing. Just being comfortable with your line mates and trusting them and making plays,” Celebrini said.
Tom Willander scored 1:15 into the first period, but life was quickly sucked out of the Canucks. Vancouver has lost ten of its last 11 games. Kevin Lankinen started but made three saves on six shots before he was pulled. Nikita Tolopilo made 25 saves.
“It was a good response. I think it kind of woke us up a little bit, a little sleepy there to start. Not great coverage on that goal against, but you know, I liked our response in the second half of that first period,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said.
This is precisely the type of performance the Sharks should have against the 32nd-place Canucks. With San Jose in a tight race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, wins against teams like this are a must.
Michael Misa continued his rise as he dictated play for his line. While the Sharks center didn’t record a point, he created chances for himself and his wingers. The Sharks also continued to showcase a strong penalty kill. Since Vincent Desharnais returned against the Florida Panthers, the Sharks have given up just one power-play goal.
“He’s electric on the PK, that’s for sure. [It’s] so great to have him on our team,” Askarov said of Desharnais. “He’s a big guy. He probably makes more saves than I do, so I appreciate it. That’s great for sure.”
Willander put the Canucks up 1-0 at 1:15 of the first. After some good zone time at 4-on-4, Williander’s shot from the point beat Askarov over the glove.
Celebrini quickly tied the game at one 41 seconds later. Smith threw a perfect backhand pass to the slot that Celerbini one-timed past Lankinen.
Gaudette put the Sharks up 2-1 at 4:43. After Celebrini kept the puck in at the blue line, he rushed down the left wing, found William Eklund in the slot, and he bumped a pass to Gaudette for the one-timer.
Toffoli scored the San Jose Sharks’ third straight goal at 5:55. Alexander Wennberg walked down the left wing and found Toffoli in the slot, and his one-timer beat Lankinen five-hole. Lankinen was relieved following the goal.
Smith put the Sharks up 4-1 with a power-play goal at 9:07 of the second period. John Klingberg found Smith in the left dot, and he lifted a smooth wrist-shot short side on Tolopilo.
Klingberg added to the San Jose Sharks’ lead with a power-play goal to make it 5-1 at 28 seconds of the third period. After taking a pass on the point, Klingberg fired a wrist shot over Tolopilo’s glove.
Hronek got one back for the Canucks with a power-play goal at 9:15. Hronek one-timed a bomb past the blocker of Askarov.
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