The San Jose Sharks secured a commanding 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on December 17, 2025, highlighted by an impressive performance from rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini, who has emerged as a pivotal player for the Sharks, contributed significantly with a goal and three assists at SAP Center, thrilling the crowd of 14,261.
Celebrini’s night began with an assist on a no-look backhand pass from John Klingberg, who scored just 62 seconds into the game. This early goal set the tone for the Sharks, who demonstrated their offensive prowess throughout the match. Celebrini later assisted Barclay Goodrow in a second goal before netting one of his own early in the third period, putting the Sharks ahead by two goals.
The highlight of the evening came when Collin Graf carried the puck into the Flames’ zone and found Celebrini. In a dazzling display of skill, Celebrini spun past defenseman Kevin Bahl before shooting on Flames goalie Dustin Wolf. Although Wolf initially stopped the shot, the puck deflected off Celebrini and into the net, marking his 17th goal of the season and his 50th point overall. This achievement makes him only the third player in Sharks history to reach 50 points before the NHL’s holiday break, joining legends Joe Thornton and Owen Nolan.
Celebrini’s performance has been exceptional, as he now has 10 points in his last five games, significantly contributing to the Sharks’ recent record of 4-1-0. Despite injuries to key teammates Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev, who were sidelined after a previous game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Celebrini continues to elevate his game.
Sharks’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky provided updates on the injured players, noting that Smith is expected to be re-evaluated after sitting out this week due to an upper-body injury. Kurashev is considered week-to-week with a similar issue. Prior to his injury, Smith had tallied 29 points in 33 games, proving to be a crucial asset on the Sharks’ first power play unit.
The Sharks maintained a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period, thanks in large part to Goodrow’s two goals, which showcased his playmaking abilities. His first goal came at the 6:00 mark, followed by another just before the first intermission, marking his first two-goal game since April 5, 2024. Goodrow’s second goal was a product of teamwork, as he set up the shot after a strategic play involving Ty Dellandrea and Celebrini.
With the Sharks now gaining momentum, Klingberg’s goal and point streak continued, as he has accumulated eight points over his last five games. The victory over the Flames reinforces the Sharks’ position as they continue to build on their success this season, with Celebrini at the helm of their offensive strategy.
As the team looks ahead, Celebrini’s remarkable skills and leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges posed by injuries and maintaining their competitive edge in the league.
