UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on November 25, 2023, despite standout performances from Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Smith celebrated his 100th NHL game with two goals, while Celebrini marked a significant milestone by reaching 100 career points in just 96 games.
The Sharks opened the scoring early with Smith’s goal at 7:34 of the first period, igniting hopes for a turnaround. However, the Golden Knights swiftly responded, netting four unanswered goals, including strikes from Tomas Hertl, Colton Sissons, and Mitch Marner, establishing a commanding 4-1 lead.
Smith’s second goal, assisted by Celebrini at 14:40 of the second period, brought the Sharks within two. William Eklund added another goal with just 25 seconds left in the second intermission, closing the gap to 4-3. Yet, despite a valiant effort in the final period, the Sharks could not find the equalizer.
Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic faced a challenging match, allowing four goals on just 19 shots through two periods. Although he improved as the game progressed, finishing with xx saves, the loss marks the second time this season the Sharks fell to the Golden Knights.
This defeat comes as the Sharks aimed to solidify their playoff position, entering the match tied with the Utah Mammoth for the second playoff spot in the Western Conference with 27 points each. A win would have propelled them past the Golden Knights into a tie for second place in the Pacific Division.
Celebrini’s achievement is particularly noteworthy; he is the first player in Sharks history to reach 100 points in under 100 career NHL games, surpassing notable Sharks legends. Smith’s 69 points in his first 100 games puts him fourth in franchise history for that milestone.
Fans and players alike are buzzing about the implications of this loss. Sharks head coach Graf expressed determination before the game, stating, “We haven’t forgotten the first game,” referring to their earlier overtime defeat against Vegas on October 9.
The Sharks now look ahead to regroup and focus on their next matchup, seeking to bounce back from this disappointing performance. As they complete their November schedule with a 9-5-1 record, the urgency to secure points in the coming games is clearer than ever.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Sharks aim to reclaim their position in the playoff race!
