UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks suffered a heart-wrenching 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on November 25, 2023, despite remarkable milestone performances by Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. In his 100th NHL game, Smith netted two goals, while Celebrini reached an impressive 100 career points.
The Sharks took an early lead when Smith scored at 7:34 of the first period. However, a defensive collapse allowed the Golden Knights to score four consecutive goals, including two from center Tomas Hertl and one each from Colton Sissons and Mitch Marner, establishing a daunting 4-1 lead.
Smith’s second goal at 14:40 of the second period narrowed the gap to 4-2, assisted by Celebrini. Sharks’ William Eklund added another goal with just 25 seconds left before the second intermission, making it 4-3. Unfortunately, the Sharks could not find the equalizer, marking their second defeat to the Golden Knights this season.
Despite the loss, goalie Alex Nedeljkovic showed improvement, finishing with xx saves after allowing four goals on only 19 shots in the first two periods. The Sharks concluded a solid month of November with a record of 9-5-1.
In his first 100 NHL games, Smith, a fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, accumulated 69 points, ranking fourth in Sharks history. Celebrini’s achievement stands out as he is the first player in Sharks history to reach 100 points in less than 100 games, with 23 assists this season contributing to his career total of 61 assists.
The Sharks entered the game tied with the Utah Mammoth for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, each with 27 points. A win would have propelled them into a tie for second place in the Pacific Division.
Coach Graf emphasized the importance of the game, stating, “We haven’t forgotten the first game,” referring to their earlier season-opening loss to the Golden Knights. The Sharks’ desire for redemption was palpable as they prepared for this crucial matchup at T-Mobile Arena.
As the Sharks regroup and focus on their next challenges, fans are left reflecting on the highs and lows of this match, particularly the historic achievements of Smith and Celebrini. The Sharks will be looking to bounce back quickly in their upcoming games, maintaining their playoff hopes alive.
