On a brisk Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings delivered a thrilling contest that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer—and then some. The Sharks, riding a hot streak, managed to edge the Kings 4-3 in overtime at Crypto.com Arena, thanks to a dramatic finish orchestrated by two of their brightest young stars.
The spotlight shone brightest on Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks’ electrifying forward, who racked up three points on the night—one goal and two assists. With this performance, Celebrini extended his impressive point streak to 12 games, a stretch that now includes nine goals and 15 assists. He was everywhere on the ice, making plays and driving the Sharks’ offense when it mattered most.
But it was William Eklund who played the hero in overtime. After a back-and-forth battle that saw leads exchanged and momentum swing like a pendulum, Eklund found himself on a 2-on-1 break with Celebrini. With 3:08 gone in the extra period, Celebrini threaded a crisp feed across the ice, and Eklund buried the puck past Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper, sealing the Sharks’ fifth win in their last six outings.
“It’s always special to score an overtime winner, especially when it comes off a great play by a teammate,” Eklund said after the game, flashing a wide grin. “Macklin made it easy for me. He’s been unbelievable during this streak.”
The Kings, for their part, refused to go quietly. Kevin Fiala and Alex Turcotte each tallied a goal and an assist, keeping Los Angeles in step with San Jose throughout the night. Joel Edmundson chipped in with two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities from the blue line. Kuemper, between the pipes, made 24 saves and gave his team every chance to steal the victory.
Los Angeles was aiming to notch its first three-game winning streak since mid-November, and for a brief moment late in the third period, it looked like they might just pull it off. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Alex Laferriere tipped in a shot from Edmundson, giving the Kings their first lead of the game at 3-2. The home crowd erupted, sensing a comeback win was within reach.
But the Sharks had other ideas. With goaltender Yaroslav Askarov pulled for an extra attacker and time slipping away, Celebrini took matters into his own hands. Driving hard to the net, he unleashed a wrist shot from the right hash marks that found its way past Kuemper, tying the game at 3-3 with only 1:07 left on the clock. The Sharks’ bench exploded in celebration, and the energy in the arena shifted yet again.
“That’s just the kind of player Macklin is,” said Sharks coach, his voice brimming with pride. “He wants the puck in those moments. He’s the heartbeat of our team right now.”
Askarov, the Sharks’ steady goaltender, finished the night with 23 saves. While he wasn’t called upon to make the spectacular save every shift, he was sharp when it mattered, especially during a frantic third period as the Kings pressed for the lead. His poise under pressure helped the Sharks weather the storm and gave them a chance to mount their late-game heroics.
For the Kings, the loss stung, especially after coming so close to a milestone win streak. “We did a lot of good things tonight,” said Alex Turcotte, who was a force all evening. “But you can’t give a team like San Jose extra chances. They’ve got guys who can make you pay.”
The game itself was a showcase of young talent and veteran savvy. Both teams traded chances in a fast-paced first period, with the Sharks drawing first blood. The Kings responded in kind, with Fiala and Turcotte connecting on a slick play to even the score. As the contest wore on, the intensity ratcheted up, with bodies flying and tempers flaring in front of both nets.
Joel Edmundson, often known for his defensive prowess, turned playmaker on this night, assisting on two of the Kings’ goals. His shot from the point was deftly redirected by Laferriere for what could have been the game-winner, a testament to the Kings’ ability to generate offense from their blue line.
On the flip side, San Jose’s special teams came up big when needed, and their young core continues to gain confidence with each passing game. The chemistry between Celebrini and Eklund has become a storyline to watch, with the duo combining for crucial goals in high-pressure moments.
“We’re just having fun out there,” Celebrini said, his modesty belying the impact he’s had on this Sharks squad. “Everyone’s buying in. We know we can play with anyone when we stick to our game.”
With this victory, the Sharks have now won five of their last six, a surge that’s put them right back in the thick of the playoff hunt. Their ability to grind out wins in tight situations is becoming a hallmark of their season, and with Celebrini’s hot hand, there’s a sense that this group is just scratching the surface of its potential.
The Kings, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they continue to chase consistency. Despite the setback, there were positives to take away—namely, the balanced scoring and the resilience shown in coming from behind. Kuemper’s steady presence in goal and the emergence of young players like Laferriere and Turcotte bode well for Los Angeles as the season progresses.
As the NHL calendar flips deeper into January, both teams know that every point is precious. The Sharks’ dramatic overtime win in Los Angeles is sure to be remembered as one of the season’s more entertaining clashes—a game that had everything: lead changes, highlight-reel goals, and a finish worthy of the spotlight.
For now, San Jose skates away with the extra point and momentum on their side, while the Kings are left to ponder what might have been. With plenty of hockey left to play, these two squads could very well find themselves locked in another battle before long. If this game was any indication, fans should be in for a treat the next time they meet.