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The Blues spoiled Celebrini's impressive debut with a 5-4 overtime win over the Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are starting a hopeful season with rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith


The San Jose Sharks are starting a hopeful season with rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith

02:49

Brayden Schenn scored 45 seconds into overtime and the St. Louis Blues spoiled an impressive debut from No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on Thursday night.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini
St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbors, left, chases San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, California.

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez


Justin Faulk equalized with 47 seconds left in regulation and Schenn scored the winning goal, giving the Blues their second straight win to open the season.

The Blues overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third period and forced overtime after goals from Radek Faksa, Ryan Suter and Faulk. Pavel Buchenivic also scored.

Joel Hofer made 25 saves,

Celebrini scored the first goal of the game and set up Tyler Toffoli for a goal later in the opening period. Fabian Zetterlund and Barclay Goodrow also scored for San Jose.

Mackenzie Blackwood made 35 saves.

Blues: St. Louis recovered from a difficult second period and scored three goals in the third period to force overtime.

Sharks: After missing the playoffs for five straight seasons, San Jose fans yearned for success. Celebrini showed the sell-out audience that there was reason for optimism thanks to a new young star, but the third third showed that a lot of work still needs to be done.

For Celebrini, it was already 7:01 into the first period of the third shift of the game. The former Boston University star arrived in a rush and did a spin-o-rama near the boards before attempting a centering pass that hit defenseman Matt Kessel's skate and went past Hofer.

Celebrini scored his goal 7:01 minutes into the game, the second-fastest goal ever for a No. 1 pick. Only Mario Lemieux scored his first goal in his debut, scoring 2:59 in the game against Boston on October 11, 1984. At 18, Celebrini is the youngest player in NHL history to record two points in the first game of his debut, 119 days, according to Sportradar. Shane Doan held the previous mark at 18 years and 362 days.

The Blues wrap up their season-opening trip with three games Friday night in Las Vegas. The Sharks end a short homestand against Anaheim on Saturday night.

By Vanessa

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