BREAKING: The San Jose Sharks triumphed over the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in an electrifying matchup on December 25, 2023, as rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini reached a milestone of 60 points this season. Celebrini’s stellar performance included a goal and two assists, making him the third player to achieve this feat this season.
The Sharks, despite being outshot 43-13, secured their second win since the holiday break, showcasing resilience against the Ducks. Yaroslav Askarov made 38 saves, playing a crucial role in the Sharks’ victory.
For Anaheim, the loss marks their third consecutive defeat and seventh in nine games, causing them to slip out of first place in the competitive Pacific Division. Troy Terry shone for the Ducks with two goals, while Cutter Gauthier netted his 19th goal of the season.
Celebrini, who left the ice briefly after being hit in the face by a deflected puck, returned to continue his impressive play. His 21st goal came late in the first period, followed by assisting on Igor Chernyshov‘s second career goal in the second. Celebrini’s performance extends his points streak to eight games, demonstrating his explosive talent.
The Ducks struggled defensively, with Lukas Dostal allowing four goals on just nine shots before being replaced by Petr Mrazek in the second period. An egregious turnover by Askarov led to a Ducks goal, highlighting the tension of the match.
As the game progressed, William Eklund chased Dostal from the net with a clever play, scoring his 10th goal of the season. The Sharks capitalized on their limited shot opportunities, scoring on two of their three attempts in the second period.
Despite a late push from Anaheim, where Terry scored after pulling Mrazek, the Sharks held on for victory. They now look ahead to their next matchup against the Ducks at the Honda Center on Wednesday.
Fans are eager to see how the Ducks will respond after this tough loss, as they aim to reclaim their spot at the top of the Pacific Division. With Celebrini’s milestone and the Sharks’ gritty performance, this game has set the stage for an exciting season ahead.