The San Jose Sharks beat the New Jersey Devils with a last-minute goal.

The San Jose Sharks will end their five-game homestand by playing against the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL on Tuesday.

January 4th 2025.

The San Jose Sharks beat the New Jersey Devils with a last-minute goal.
In a thrilling game at SAP Center on Saturday, the San Jose Sharks took on the New Jersey Devils in front of a sold-out crowd. With just 24.2 seconds left in the third period, Cody Ceci scored a clutch goal to secure a 3-2 victory for the Sharks.

The game was off to a quick start with both teams putting pressure on the opposing goaltenders. Yaroslav Askarov, who made 29 saves throughout the game, was the backbone of the Sharks' defense as they fought to maintain their lead. But it was Macklin Celebrini who first found the back of the net for the Sharks, giving them a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Celebrini's goal was his 13th of the season, making him the top-scoring rookie in the entire NHL.

However, the Devils quickly bounced back with a goal from Paul Cotter, tying the game at 2-2. Askarov, who had been solid in the Sharks' previous game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, continued to impress with his performance in net. His consistent play has been crucial for the Sharks, who have struggled to string together consecutive wins in the past month.

Speaking of consistency, the Sharks were thrilled to have William Eklund back in the lineup after a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury. Eklund, who leads the Sharks with 27 points this season, was slotted back into his usual spot on a line with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund. The trio had a strong showing, combining for eight shots on goal through the first two periods.

Nikolai Kovalenko, who scored the Sharks' first goal of the game in the first period, was also making his presence known on the ice. The 22-year-old winger, who was recently moved to the fourth line, has been a valuable addition to the team since joining in December.

As the game progressed, it became clear that every play and every goal would be crucial in determining the outcome. Both teams fought hard, but it was the Sharks who ultimately came out on top thanks to Ceci's late-game heroics. The defenseman, who has been a solid contributor for the Sharks this season, received a pass from Alexander Wennberg and fired a shot past Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom to secure the win.

The Sharks were elated to have two consecutive wins under their belt, a feat they hadn't achieved in over a month. Head coach Adam Warsofsky praised Granlund for his leadership and mentorship of the team's young players, particularly Eklund and Zetterlund, who are still adjusting to the pace of the NHL. Granlund, who leads the team in points, has been instrumental in helping the Sharks find chemistry on their lines.

In addition to the exciting win, the Sharks also had some roster moves to announce. To make room for Eklund's return, defenseman Jake Walman was placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury in the Sharks' game against the Edmonton Oilers. With Walman out, Henry Thrun stepped up to fill in on the top defensive pair with Ceci, playing over 20 minutes in each of the last four games.

Despite a strong showing from the Sharks, there were a few setbacks. Center Nico Sturm, who was questionable to play after being hit by a shot in the previous game, was ultimately scratched from the lineup. But the Sharks were able to overcome these challenges and come out on top against the Devils.

It was a hard-fought game that showcased the determination and skill of both teams, but ultimately it was the San Jose Sharks who emerged victorious. With this win, they hope to build momentum and continue their climb up the Pacific Division standings.

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