Celebrini Scores 20th, But Sharks Overwhelmed by Avs 7-3

DENVER — San Jose Sharks visit Ball Arena to take on the Colorado Avalanche.

Fabian Zetterlund and Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund scored, but the Sharks got blown out 7-3.

Period 1

1 in: San Jose Sharks looking a little rattled, maybe by today’s events. Georgiev has had to face down a couple rush/counter attack chances.

Good Celebrini shift to restore order. Constant attack mode, offensively and defensively. Had a slot pass to Zetterlund early, not sure how Zetterlund missed it.

Kiviranta goal: Kiviranta short-handed goal. Celebrini lost it along wall, but I think his guys should’ve anticipated that better, Smith’s pass arrived at same time as Av was on Celebrini. Anticipating, that’s not an easy battle for Celebrini to win. That said, Georgiev should have had that, I think. Kiviranta scored two on Georgiev in late December, 3 of his 12 goals this season have been against his former teammate.

Makar goal: Just pumps it through Georgiev. Setting up to be a long night.

Zetterlund goal: San Jose Sharks needed that bad. Fantastic set-up by Graf, sees Zetterlund off to side of net. Easy. PP1: Wennberg-Celebrini-Smith-Eklund-Toffoli and PP2: Liljegren-Graf-Kostin-Kovalenko-Zetterlund.

8 left: Schuldt can’t quite handle a flip, Colton jumps on it for a change, big Georgiev save.

Then Nichushkin follows, beating Mukhamadullin to the outside. Sharks aren’t playing well, on the balance. Mukhamadullin needs to respect Nichushkin’s speed more there, I think. That’s a big Georgiev save. 7-6 shot differential isn’t ugly (yet) but Avs have had the better chances.

6 left: Now Mukhamadullin NZ stretch to I think Zetterlund intercepted. Bad place for a turnover.

3 left: Nice little play by Graf on the wall, able to retain possession with pressure on him. The flash of his pass to Zetterlund, full credit, but that ability to retain possession, that’s an NHL play.

Dellandrea penalty: On first watch, that could’ve been a major. Bad hit.

1 left: Goodrow should just shoot that, 2-on-1 short-handed chance with Graf.

Drouin goal: Eventually, Avs PP picks apart Sharks. Seconds left, MacKinnon finds Drouin off to side, no one has him. No chance for Georgiev. Dellandrea wants to make an impact, but two goals off his two penalties.

San Jose Sharks getting roasted by Colorado’s speed. This ain’t Buffalo. But they got to calm down their game too, they haven’t been good and simple with the puck. They’re not going to track meet the Avs.

Period 2

Ferraro penalty: NOT the way to start the period.

Necas goal: Drains the long one-timer.

1 in: NZ turnover, MacKinnon counter attack. Rinse, repeat. Zetterlund couldn’t bust it out of zone, too easy for the Avs.

7 in: Have not liked Smith tonight, but tough opponent, teenager player. Going to happen. But erased too easily on entry there, loses puck, Avs counterattack. Do like how Ferraro contends with MacKinnon one-on-one. That kind of stuff is why Ferraro is still an attractive trade piece. We’ll find out how attractive tomorrow.

MacKinnon goal: And that’s why Ferraro not so attractive…they had survived another kill, but his backhand pass into slot, MacKinnon swoops in on it, and leads eventually to a tap-in. I don’t like the Kiviranta goal, the Necas debatable, otherwise, Sharks just gifting goals to Avs. All their worst habits back in full force.

#SJSharks outshot 12-2 so far in the 2nd. Down 5-1.

Looking at the roster, they've had a successful road trip.

But this kind of game is a reminder of how bad it can be if they don't compete, keep it simple & get some stops

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 7, 2025

5 left: Not going to be too hard on Kovalenko since first game back in over a month and the San Jose Sharks are being routed, but that’s a play, he gets puck approaching line, must get in. He tries a soft chip, easily intercepted, Colorado counterattack. That’s one of those no if’s and buts plays.

2 left: That Celebrini pass to Schuldt might’ve been San Jose Sharks’ first legitimate chance this period. Blackwood’s got it.

Middleton no-goal: I think Bednar could’ve challenged that, looks like Thompson butted Colton ever so slightly into Georgiev.

Avalanche score, but they waive it off.

I do feel bad for Middleton, as it would have been his first career NHL goal.

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 7, 2025

Period 3

Literally no one in the press box saw that MacKinnon goal, we're all looking at our phones and talking about the Brock Nelson trade

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 7, 2025

Celebrini goal: The only good news from tonight’s game, Eklund to Smith to Celebrini!

Makar goal: I wonder why they don’t pull Georgiev. It could be to not show him up in his old home. Not sure what’s worse though, being left out for this or getting jeered by the crowd when you get pulled.

8 left: Kostin with a pretty one-on-one lone foray through three Avs.

Eklund goal: Wennberg pass to Toffoli was a little off, not in one-timer wheelhouse, nice job by Toffoli to still get a good shot off that produced a rebound.