Macklin Celebrini had a three-point night as the San Jose Sharks nearly completed a comeback against the Dallas Stars, but they were unable to overcome their struggles, particularly on special teams as the Stars won 4-3. The Sharks' top line had a phenomenal shift, that went on for quite a while as well. It was arguably one of the best shifts we've seen from the Sharks in weeks and fittingly, it ended with a goal as Michael Misa redirected a pass from Macklin Celebrini to give the team in teal a 1-0 lead for just the fifth time this season. Shortly after the goal, Mikko Rantanen and Mason Marchment took penalties at the same time as Rantanen was called for tripping while Marchment took a controversial embellishment penalty. It then became a 4-on-3 in favor of Dallas, when Jacob Trouba interfered with Roope Hintz. During that unconventional power play, Hintz scored his seventh of the season to tie things up at a goal a piece. Stars captain Jamie Benn gave the Stars their first lead of the night, with his third goal of the season, at 15:17 in the first period. After Marchment took a holding penalty, Jason Robertson doubled the Stars' lead with just over three minutes remaining in the opening period. 2:51 into the second period, Macklin Celebrini connected with Ivar Stenberg on the rush to bring the Sharks back within one. Eric Pohlkamp got the secondary assist, registering his first career NHL point. Thomas Harley fired a one-timer from the point to make it 4-2 in favor of the Stars while Will Smith served a bench minor penalty for too many men on the ice. With that goal, the Stars' power play improved to three goals in four attempts on the night. The Sharks' power play finally came through as Will Smith scored with a 5-on-3 advantage late in the middle frame to bring them back within a single goal. Despite having significant sustained pressure late in the final frame, the Sharks were unable to find an equalizer and lost their fifth straight game.
