There's Nothing More National League Than A No-Bucket Rookie Hot Lap
Some people are fortunate enough to achieve their dreams earlier than others. That doesn't mean that they didn't work just as hard as everybody else--just not as long. Macklin Celebrini worked 18 years for this moment. Will Smith worked 19 years for this moment. And this right here is what it's all about.
No bucky hot lap in the show.
Your hair moving through air like waves crashing on the shore. Half the sheet of ice completely to yourselves. Tuck a few shots right under the bar, maybe ring a few off the glass, just rip around out there like a hero because you've earned that moment. Kids dream their whole lives about going no bucket for warm ups, and here comes Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith turning those dreams into reality. You love to see it.
You also love to see Celebrini having himself a night in his NHL debut. There's always a ton of pressure on 1st overall picks to produce. Especially over the years as guys like McDavid and Matthews have set the bar so high on how 18-year-olds can come into the league and dominate right away. We've seen some guys struggle to make the adjustment right away and take a few years to finally hit their stride (Jack Hughes, Alexis Lafreniere), but it looks like Celebrini might be a weapon right out of the gates.
Obviously he gets a little lucky bounce here off the defender's skate. But that's still a special goal as far as first career's go. Even if it didn't end up being a goal, that would have been a nasty play to find Eklund off the spin. And speaking of Celebrini spinning all over the goddamn place, this assist to Toffoli was as smooth as they come.
Quick sidenote here but this stat makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. The fact that there are kids who "grew up" watching Auston Matthews and are now in the NHL makes me feel four million years old.
The unstoppable march of time aside, a goal and an assist in the NHL debut of the 1st overall pick. Not a big deal.
I'll tell you what is a big deal, though. The Sharks blowing a 4-1 lead and having the Blues come back to stun their ass in overtime. 4-1 game with just over 2 minutes left in the 2nd period. Then the Blues come out and score 3 goals in the 3rd with Justin Faulk tying the game in the final minute of regulation. And then in overtime, it's The Captain.
Great debut for Celebrini. Decent debut overall for the Sharks (they're still clearly rebuilding so it's not the most shocking 4-1 lead collapse you'll ever see). Gutsy gutsy win for the Blues.