Superstar centers in spotlight as Sharks visit Penguins

Sidney Crosby and Macklin Celebrini are connected as centers who were No. 1 overall draft picks, Team Canada teammates in last May's World Hockey Championships and by that fact that there's more than a little bit of Crosby in the way Celebrini plays.

Sidney Crosby and Macklin Celebrini are connected as centers who were No. 1 overall draft picks, Team Canada teammates in last May's World Hockey Championships and by that fact that there's more than a little bit of Crosby in the way Celebrini plays.

The pair will meet Saturday afternoon when Celebrini's San Jose Sharks visit Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins won the previous meeting this season 3-0 on Oct. 18 in San Jose.

Crosby, one of the greatest players in NHL history, was the first overall pick in 2005, while Celebrini was the top selection in 2024.

The Pittsburgh captain is 38 and in his 21st season but is still thriving with 18 goals and 32 points in 29 games this season.

Crosby has 1,719 career points (643 goals, 1,076 assists), four behind Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh's all-time leader.

Celebrini, 19, meanwhile, is having a spectacular sophomore campaign with 44 points (15 goals and 29 assists) in 32 games. That after tallying 25 goals and 63 points in 70 contests as a rookie in 2024-25.

Crosby recently praised Celebrini.

"He's definitely proved he's one of the best in the league," Crosby said when asked about the teenager's chances of being selected for the Canadian Olympic Team.

In a previous interview Crosby was more specific.

"He's an incredible player. Just his all-around game at his age is pretty impressive," the veteran superstar said. "He's committed defensively. He competes hard. He's got a pretty mature game for his age."

Celebrini showcased that game when the Sharks beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in Raleigh last Sunday.

Celebrini had the primary assists on San Jose's first two goals, drew a tripping penalty as he drove to the net to set up a power-play goal 23 seconds later, and clinched the win with an empty-net goal late in the third period.

The Penguins made some news on Friday morning when they pulled the trigger on a long-rumored trade involving goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Pittsburgh sent Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers for goalie Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Skinner, 11-8-4 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .891 save percentage this season, backstopped the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final the past two campaigns. Kulak has two assists in 31 games. He is in the final season of a four-year, $11 million contract.

The Penguins lost their third straight game (0-2-1) on Thursday, 4-2 to the visiting Montreal Canadiens.

Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist. Defenseman Erik Karlsson also scored, Crosby had an assist and Jarry made 25 saves.

The Sharks rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the host Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night.

Celebrini set up defenseman John Klingberg for the tying goal with 1:25 left in regulation and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic pulled for the extra attacker. Alexander Wennberg scored the winner 2:49 into OT.

"Sometimes you get the result, sometimes you don't," San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "... I'm happy for the group to get the feeling of winning because it's a pretty addictive feeling and we have to continue that and get better each and every day."

--Field Level Media