Pre-Scout: Is Macklin vs. McDavid the next great player rivalry? |
It’s another first of the season for the Edmonton Oilers.
After dispatching the rising Anaheim Ducks on Monday in a record-setting 7-4 scoring fest, tonight it’s a new foe that’s taken a quantum leap in their division now threatening to make the playoffs for the first time this decade.
The Sharks have a vibe about them: a young, re-energized franchise that is now reaping the benefits of depressing regular-season records to attract top-end talent. Maybe that corner is officially turned for them, maybe another season or two is needed.
But to be in a playoff spot at the end of January? To be already five points better than they were all of 2024-25? To have their most wins through 50 games since 2018-19?
It goes to show you what Macklin Celebrini and company have done.
After allowing the first goal on Tuesday against the Canucks just 1:15 into the game, the Sharks responded three times in the next five minutes to seize a multi-goal lead and win the game 5-2.
“That’s what we’ve done a really good job of this year, is when teams kind of push back on us, or try to get on their front foot, we do a good job of just kind of handling it, weathering it, and getting back to our game,” said Celebrini post-game.
Cel-e-brini good times c’mon!
Macklin vs McDavid. Hockey fans could talk about it the same way Oilers fans did in 2015 with McDavid vs Crosby.
This is the third head-to-head between them (McDavid missed one of the games last year due to injury). McDavid has five assists in those games, while Celebrini had just one point in three tries.
Regardless, it’s bloody remarkable the year this teenager is having. Not only does Celebrini have 27 goals and 78 points, which is the fourth most in the league, but that’s more than twice the amount of points the second-best scorer on San Jose has.
He’s averaging 21 minutes and five seconds of ice time, the........