Ryan Hartman (38) of the Wild collides with Sharks center Ty Dellandrea (10) during the first period Wednesday in San Jose. (Photo Credits to Godofredo A. Vásquez/The Associated Press)
By Michael Villanueva
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks closed out the year on a high note, defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in a shootout in a thrilling 1 p.m. contest at SAP Center, extending their winning streak to three games and completing a season series sweep of Minnesota.
San Jose entered the game on a two-game winning streak and extended it to three straight wins with the win. The Sharks’ record has also improved over the last ten games, from 6-4 to 7-3, giving them momentum heading into the new year. The victory finished a successful season series against the Wild, with San Jose winning 3-0, including a dramatic 3-2 overtime win in their most recent meeting on November 11, 2025.
Before the puck dropped, Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini made headlines for being chosen as the youngest member of Team Canada, which included NHL players. Celebrini continues to make NHL history, tying Sidney Crosby for the most points by a teenager before Christmas with 55. The sophomore superstar has been electrifying this season, ranking third in the NHL with 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 39 games played as of December 29, while tying for second in the league with 39 assists.
Despite the pregame hype, Minnesota struck first. Vladimir Tarasenko scored for the Wild within 11 minutes of the game’s start. Minnesota dominated the first period, holding San Jose scoreless and carrying out its game plan perfectly. The Sharks went into the first intermission anxious, having to rearrange lineups and change formations after being outplayed in the first 20 minutes.
San Jose responded with energy in the second period. Igor Chernyshov scored the Sharks’ first goal of the afternoon just two minutes in, regaining momentum for the home team. The momentum continued when Jeff Skinner scored 14 minutes later to give San Jose their first lead of the game. After two quarters of play, the Sharks led 2-1 heading into the locker room.
The Sharks scored immediately to start the third quarter. Macklin Celebrini scored early, extending San Jose’s lead to 3-1 and exciting the SAP Center crowd. However, Minnesota refused to go away. Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello reestablished Minnesota’s offense, tying the game at 3-3.
The final five minutes of regulation turned into a defensive battle, with both teams locked in and unwilling to surrender the decisive goal.
Overtime matched the intensity of the regular game, with both sides playing aggressive defense and contesting every shot. Neither team could find the back of the net in the additional five minutes, forcing the final game of the season into a shootout.
Collin Graf of San Jose started the shootout but missed. Minnesota’s Mats Zuccarello followed, but also came up empty. With the pressure growing, Celebrini stepped up and calmly sank his shot, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead in the shootout. Minnesota failed to convert on its second try, securing the victory.
The Sharks skated off the ice with a 4–3 shootout victory, closing out the year in dramatic fashion and extending their winning streak as they head into the next stretch of the season. Macklin Celebrini is now at 23 goals so far in the season. The Sharks look forward to the new year as they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 3rd, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. back at SAP Center.
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