The Sharks overcome early adversity and roll past the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 thanks to a three-point performance from Macklin Celebrini and more great goaltending from Alex Nedeljkovic.
Just 28 seconds into this game, Igor Chernyshov was hit by Mike Matheson and had to exit his first game since his recent recall from the Barracuda due to an upper-body injury. This hit left Chernyshov bleeding from the head, falling awkwardly to the ice, and falling down twice as he tried to get up. Soon after, the Canadiens had initially scored the first goal of the game via Lane Hutson, but after further review, the Sharks caught a huge break after the officials wiped that first goal off the board due to their intent to blow the whistle prior to Lane Hutson scoring. However, the Canadiens redeemed themselves later in the first period, scoring the official first goal of the game via Cole Caufield. The Sharks responded with just under seven minutes remaining in the opening frame on Macklin Celebrini's 34th goal of the season, Assisted by Collin Graf and John Klingberg. This goal also extends Macklin Celebrini's point streak to eight games.
Early in the second period, the Sharks initially went ahead on what would have been Macklin Celebrini's second goal of the game, except the Canadiens challenged it for offsides and were able to get that goal successfully overturned. Team Teal redeemed themselves later in the second period, when Mario Ferraro scored his fifth goal of the season and tied his career high in goals, assisted by Alex Wennberg and William Eklund. The Sharks then extended their lead to two on a redirection by Collin Graf for his 18th goal of the season, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and John Klingberg. With just over two minutes remaining in the middle frame, Nick Suzuki scored to make it a one-goal game once more. Late in the third period, the Sharks sealed this one on an empty-netter from Macklin Celebrini for his second goal of the game and 35th goal of the season, assisted by Collin Graf and Barclay Goodrow.
Alex Nedeljkovic was great in the crease for the Sharks once again, recording 25 saves on 27 shots against. In addition, Laurent Brossoit was recently recalled from the Barracuda, indicating that Yaroslav Askarov will miss some time due to his injury that he is currently dealing with. In other news, the Sharks re-signed Ty Dellandrea to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.625 million. Prior to suffering an injury that has kept him out for the past two months, Dellandrea has two goals, nine assists, and 11 points in 42 games this season. I don't see this contract extension as a huge deal and more as a take it or leave it type transaction, but I am curious what this might mean for the Sharks re-signing and/or adding other depth forwards in the near future.
This was another great road win for the Sharks to sweep the season series over the Montreal Canadiens. With this victory, the Sharks now have 70 points and are back in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Kings' 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Team Teal is back in action tomorrow afternoon, when they visit the Ottawa Senators for their next game at 2 pm PT.
Sources: NBC Sports California, NHL App, Sjsharks.com, Locked on Sharks, Curtis Pashelka via X
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