Macklin Celebrini and Timothy Liljegren helped the San Jose Sharks end a three-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
Celebrini, the top pick in this year’s draft, scored two goals in the third period, marking the second two-goal game of his career. He also added an assist for his first-ever three-point game, bringing his total to six goals.
Nico Sturm, Fabian Zetterlund, Alexander Wennberg, and Luke Kunin also scored for the Sharks, while Will Smith and William Eklund each recorded two assists. San Jose scored five goals in the third period to seal the win.
Yaroslav Askarov made 22 saves for the Sharks, who won their second game against the Kings this season after failing to beat them in regulation in the last two seasons.
For the Kings, Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist, Brandt Clarke scored once, and Adrian Kempe added two assists. David Rittich made 14 saves as Los Angeles lost for the fourth time in six games.
In a 2-2 tie, Celebrini put the Sharks ahead 1:03 into the third period. Liljegren followed with a goal just 1:11 later, making it 4-2. Celebrini then scored again on a two-man advantage after the Kings unsuccessfully challenged Liljegren’s goal and were called for tripping.
Midway through the period, Wennberg scored on a power play to make it 5-2, and Kunin added another goal late to seal the win.
The Sharks took an early 1-0 lead when Sturm scored on a breakaway just 1:47 into the game, assisted by Mario Ferraro.
The Kings briefly led in the second period with goals from Clarke at 2:32 and Kopitar at 8:58. Zetterlund tied the game for San Jose with his ninth goal of the season at 13:59.