Celebrini's heroics aside, Sharks' overall game draws concern: We're playing with fire'

"SAN JOSE A day after he completed his third career NHL hat trick with an overtime goal, etching his name alongside some of the NHL's all-time greatest players, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini had already moved on. Sitting just outside of a playoff spot, there's too much left for the Sharks to try to accomplish, too much room for improvement with three-quarters of the season remaining."

"Celebrini's team-leading 13th goal of the year at the 2:52 mark of overtime Tuesday gave the Sharks their fifth win in seven games. It also helped Celebrini become just the fourth teenager in NHL history to reach the 30-point mark in 20 or fewer games of a season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby, who are first, eighth, and ninth, respectively, on the league's all-time scoring list."

"He's special, Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais said Tuesday. I think everyone in here and everyone in this building kind of sees how special he is as a player, and as a human being as well. He always wants to get better every day. I'm sure next skate, he's going to be one of the first guys on the ice to work on something else. It's impressive to see, and it inspires everyone to want to follow him."

Macklin Celebrini scored his third career hat trick with an overtime goal, giving the Sharks a 3-2 victory and their fifth win in seven games. Celebrini’s 13th goal and 30 points through 20 games made him the fourth teenager in NHL history to reach 30 points in 20 or fewer games, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby. The Sharks sit just outside a playoff spot at 9-8-3 with much of the season remaining. Teammates praise Celebrini’s skill and work ethic, but the team recognizes persistent disconnects, turnovers and defensive lapses that must be fixed for sustained success.

Read at www.mercurynews.com