Ceci lifts Sharks previous Devils with 25 seconds left

Alexander Wennberg fed Ceci for a one-timer from simply contained in the blue line. The shot hit New Jersey goalie Jacob Markstrom’s glove and trickled into the online.

“It feels nice. We’ve been on the opposite aspect of it, and now to return out on this aspect, it’s good for our group,” Ceci mentioned. “[I] simply noticed Wennberg arising the wall, after which he noticed me opening up, handed it to me, and simply tried to make use of the man popping out at me as a display, and [it] ended up going briefly aspect.”

Macklin Celebrini and Nikolai Kovalenko scored for the Sharks (13-23-6), who’ve received two in a row after dropping the earlier eight. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves.

“We began getting our id going early within the 12 months and [were] not getting the consequence, and now we’re beginning to get rewarded for it these final two particularly,” San Jose coach

san Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a glove save as defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) holds off Nico Hischier (13) – Picture by Jack Lima

Ryan Warsofsky mentioned. “Our guys are beginning to see the recipe and the way you want to play and compete.”

Nico Hischier and Paul Cotter scored for the Devils (24-15-3), who’ve misplaced 4 straight general and 5 in a row on the street. Markstrom made 21 saves.

“Once we play onerous and we play with construction and goal, we’ve proven we’re group,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned. “We’ve additionally proven that once we don’t, we’re not group.”

Ceci lifts Sharks previous Devils with 25 seconds left

Sharks ahead Nikolai Kovalenko (15) opens the scoring with a primary interval purpose previous Jacob Markstrom – Picture by Jack Lima

Kovalenko put the Sharks in entrance 1-0 at 17:40 of the primary interval. William Eklund handed in entrance for Kovalenko, who went to the online and scored with a low shot that acquired by Markstrom.

It was Kovalenko’s first purpose in 11 video games with San Jose since he was traded from the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 9.

“It’s [an] superb feeling,” Kovalenko mentioned. “I’m simply comfortable for this second and I’m going to maintain attempting to attain.”

Sharks ahead Nikolai Kovalenko (15) loses his steadiness as Devils’ Curtis Lazar (42) skates round him – Picture by Jack Lima

Hischier tied it 1-1 with a power-play purpose at 4:19 of the second interval. Jack Hughes despatched a cross from low within the left circle that went in off Hischier’s skate on the proper submit.

“We’re pissed off,” mentioned Hischier, the New Jersey captain. “Clearly, we’re going by a tough stretch proper now. We’ve acquired to stay collectively as a result of while you do, you develop collectively and are available out of the opposite aspect.”

Nikolai Kovalenko (15) checks Curtis Lazar (42) alongside the boards – Picture by Jack Lima..

Celebrini put the Sharks forward 2-1 at 1:53 of the third. He took a cross from Will Smith on the frenzy and scored from the highest of the left circle with a wrist shot by the five-hole.

Cotter tied it 2-2 at 5:07, taking a cross from Luke Hughes within the impartial zone, dangling round Marc-Edouard Vlasic in the best circle and beating Askarov to the far aspect.

Macklin Celebrini (71) celebrates his third interval purpose with teammates on the bench – Picture by Jack Lima

NOTES: Celebrini scored his thirteenth purpose of the season to cross Philadelphia Flyers ahead Matvei Michkov for the lead amongst NHL rookies. … Celebrini is considered one of three 18-year-olds over the previous 40 years to have 28 or extra factors by the primary 30 video games of his profession. The others have been Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (32 in 2011-12) and Sidney Crosby (31 in 2005-06). … Eklund returned to the Sharks lineup after lacking the earlier 4 video games with an upper-body damage. He had an help and 4 photographs on purpose in 18:08 of ice time. … Hischier, who turned 26 on Saturday, scored on his birthday for the third time (additionally in 2019 and 2023). He’s considered one of six lively gamers to attain on his birthday in three completely different years, becoming a member of Adam Henrique (4), Leon Draisaitl (4), Elias Lindholm (three), Kyle Connor (three) and Alex DeBrincat (three).