Graf Scores 1st NHL Goal, But Sharks Lose 4-3

The San Jose Sharks welcome the Montreal Canadiens into SAP Center.

Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf and Tyler Toffoli scored, but the Sharks lost 4-3.

Cheers for “O Canada” at Sharks-Canadiens in San Jose tonight! pic.twitter.com/l3oswIBTsZ

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 5, 2025

Period 1

Anderson vs. Thompson in the corner opening shift, that’s the kind of battle that Thompson will need to learn to win.

1 in: Like that from Mukhamadullin, just take it to the net. More of that, even if it doesn’t work. Mentally, just want him confident and aggressive.

3 in: Then Eklund takes it to the net, he and Toffoli have net front chances. Good approach to start for the San Jose Sharks.

Celebrini goal: Right-hander Smith and left-hander Celebrini set up for dueling one-timers on the power play, fun times! Beaut puck movement, one-touch pass from Eklund to Toffoli, who finds Celebrini. Attack triangle perfection.

8 left: Obviously, watching Hutson a little more closely tonight. Well, me and the Sharks. He slips Kunin who comes at him too hard to close up high, that was impressive. First impressions, doesn’t look the quickest, but seems to suck in defenders as much as he can, then just walk by them. Almost uncanny awareness and patience there, combined with just enough quickness. Also, passes are always in stride for his teammates. Certainly promotes a healthy breakout.

4 left: Smith almost centers it to Zetterlund beautifully. Later in that shift, quick Habs shot, Georgiev rebound, pops to Zetterlund in inner slot, Zetterlund just reacts and bats at it, even though there isn’t much pressure around him, right to a Canadien. There’s a moment, that’s some PTSD for Zetterlund, I think. I get it, usually at that moment with these Sharks teams, it’s red alert. But not there. Instead? Take a couple flat-footed steps with the puck, at worst, make sure to get it out, but maybe make a play, there’s no need to just give it up.

Overall solid start for the San Jose Sharks so far.

Period 2

Caufield goal: Celebrini starts off on the kill, beginning of it, don’t know if I’ve seen that so far…not a great start!

Newhook goal: Georgiev loses his stick, Thrun and another Canadien get in his kitchen. Sharks can’t kill the play, Newhook snipes it. Earlier, Graf to Goodrow to Kunin, and Kunin had a step on the defender for a one-on-one shot on Montembault. But big save there.

7 in: Good Smith shift. Poturalski might’ve been boarded by Anderson. Hab takes the puck, but passes it up the middle to Smith, who touches it to Zetterlund. Big Montembault save.

9 in: Like Mukhamadullin’s assertiveness tonight, just deciding and going.

10 in: Beck hits the post, Montreal’s second in this period.

Zetterlund no-goal: Zetterlund causes the turnover, then Smith razzle-dazzles Hutson, whoa! Sneaks pass to Poturalski by himself in front, Montembault stands tall. But in chaos, Zetterlund sneaks a shot through…I thought? Nope. In the Celebrini-Hutson show tonight though, Smith has shone.

Graf goal: Goodrow along the wall, gets it through three Habs, lastly Gallagher who’s trying to stop that pass-clear. Three Habs beat, 2-on-1 for Graf and Kunin, Graf looks off Montembault, then blasts it by him with a snipe to remember.

Congrats Grafer🥳 https://t.co/atWEbVSdFs

— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) February 5, 2025

2 left: Another Habs post, Suzuki this time.

Grundstrom penalty: Four-minute double-minor! More gut check time for the Sharks!

Period 3

Gallagher goal: Actually was a pretty good kill, but double-minor, shrug. Can Sharks keep playing like they have been?

5 in: Grundstrom penalty withstanding, the fourth line has had some decent zone time. Have liked Grundstrom and Duehr’s hair-trigger physicality.

7 in: Gorgeous turnaround Celebrini stretch pass to Graf.

8 in: Excellent wall win by Goodrow, gets it back to Ferraro at point. Leads to a Graf chance and more, good grind shift.

PP1 was Walman-Smith-Celebrini-Toffoli-Eklund, PP2 was Liljegren-Graf-Poturalski-Zetterlund-Kunin.

Toffoli goal: Oh, that’s fun. Habs PK maybe watching Celebrini carry too much, Toffoli gets behind Armia and Matheson for a breakaway.

9 left: Slafkovsky lights up a one-timer, big Georgiev save.

6 left: Celebrini can’t believe it, Smith gave him a dime, and he got a good shot at the side, raised the puck, but right into the glove.

Armia goal: Poturalski gets pressured high on PP, it looks like, and 2-on-1.

1 left: Big save by Liljegren on empty net wraparound big, hopefully it helps the Sharks.