Sharks Edge Wild in Shootout Thriller, Celebrini Shines

19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini delivers clutch performance, raising questions about his Olympic potential

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:54am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice rink broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the intensity and excitement of the match.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes shootout between the Sharks and Wild, capturing the raw energy and drama of the game.Anaheim Today

In a high-stakes matchup, the San Jose Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in a dramatic shootout, with 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini emerging as the hero. Celebrini, who was recently named to the Canadian Olympic team, scored a goal and an assist to lead the Sharks to victory. The game featured a back-and-forth battle, with the Wild rallying to tie the game late, only to fall short in the shootout.

Why it matters

Celebrini's standout performance has sparked discussions about his rapid rise to stardom and whether he can maintain his exceptional level of play as he prepares for the Olympics and the demands of a long NHL season. The game also highlighted the depth and competitiveness of both teams, with the Wild's inability to capitalize on key opportunities ultimately costing them the win.

The details

In a thrilling contest, the Sharks jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the third period, thanks to Celebrini's goal and an assist from teammate Igor Chernyshov. However, the resilient Wild fought back, with goals from Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello tying the game and setting the stage for the dramatic shootout. In the shootout, Celebrini and William Eklund scored for the Sharks, while the Wild's attempts were denied, securing the victory for San Jose.

  • The game was played on January 1st, 2026.
  • Celebrini's 22nd goal of the season gave the Sharks a 3-1 lead early in the third period.
  • The Sharks will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, while the Wild continue their seven-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old phenom who was recently named to the Canadian Olympic team. He scored a goal and an assist to lead the Sharks to victory.

William Eklund

A Sharks teammate who scored in the shootout to help secure the win.

Igor Chernyshov

A Sharks player who contributed a goal and two assists in the game.

Jeff Skinner

A Sharks player who scored a crucial power-play goal.

Vladimir Tarasenko

A Wild player who opened the scoring in the first period.

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What they’re saying

“Celebrini's rapid rise to stardom is certainly impressive, but the true test will be whether he can maintain this level of play throughout the Olympics and the rest of the NHL season.”

— Hockey Analyst

What’s next

As the Sharks prepare to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, and the Wild continue their seven-game trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, the focus will be on whether Celebrini can sustain his exceptional performance and lead his team to more victories.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and competitiveness of both the Sharks and the Wild, with Celebrini's heroics proving to be the difference. However, the young phenom's rapid rise to stardom has raised questions about his ability to maintain this level of play as he prepares for the Olympics and the demands of a long NHL season.