Celebrini takes NHL scoring lead, Sharks defeat Jets 

SAN JOSE -- Macklin Celebrini took the NHL scoring lead with a goal and an assist in the San Jose Sharks' 2-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center on Friday.

The 19-year-old and No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft has 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists), one more than Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, who had a goal and three assists Friday. Celebrini tied Steve Yzerman (23 in 1984-85) and Wayne Gretzky (23 in 1980-81) for the most points by a teenager in NHL history through his first 15 games of a season.

"We see it on a nightly basis. We see it on a daily basis. What I love [is], he just drags guys into the fight," San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said of Celebrini. "That's how you start winning cultures. He's done a great job of that. Proud of him. He is one of the greatest kids, human beings. He cares. He's a great person. We are very fortunate."

Will Smith made it 2-1 at 15:39 of the third period. Philipp Kurashev passed the puck to Smith in front, and after Celebrini was stopped in close, the puck got behind Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck for Smith to stuff in.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves for the Sharks (6-6-3), who are 5-1-1 in their past seven games.

"It was kind of an extended shift. We had a nice entry, and then [Kurashev] had a great forecheck," Smith said. "I saw [Celebrini] out of the corner of my eye. I honestly thought he scored, and then I just saw the puck laying there."

Josh Morrissey scored the only goal for the Jets (9-5-0), who have lost two straight and are 3-2-0 in their past five games. Hellebuyck made 25 saves.

"They were the better team for two periods, second and third," Winnipeg oach Scott Arniel said. "We turned pucks over. We didn't defend very well. We gave up lots of odd-man looks. Hellebuyck had to make some big stops."

Morrissey put the Jets up 1-0 at 12:34 of the first period, scoring on a slap shot from the left point.

"Good face-off win, and kind of came out to me on a tee," Morrissey said. "Saw there was traffic on the I guess for me, my left side, for the goalie, his right, and just tried to pick the far side of the net. I don't think he saw it."

Celebrini tied it 1-1 at 13:46. Tyler Toffoli sent Celebrini on a breakaway from center ice, and he beat Hellebuyck with a move to the backhand at the right post.

Nedeljkovic stopped all 12 shots he faced in the third. He has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his past three starts.

"Obviously, a top team in the League," Nedeljkovic said of the Jets. "A lot of firepower up front and [they're] very solid defensively. I thought it was great coming back from a big win like that in Seattle (6-1 at the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday) ... I think there might be a tendency to maybe take your foot off the gas a little bit, [but] I thought we stuck with it. We picked up right where we left off.

"We had a pretty solid first period; coming out with a 1-1 score, I think we'll take it. We just kept going, kept pressing. Couple of weird bounces, [but] we responded well every time. We just made the most of the opportunities that we got."

NOTES: Celebrini has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in his past 10 games. He has factored into San Jose's first goal five times this season; only Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings) and Logan Cooley (Utah Mammoth) have more in the NHL this season (six each). ... It was the 14th opening goal of Morrissey's career, which ranks second in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history; Dustin Byfuglien leads with 18. ... Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov played his 800th NHL game.