Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
We’re learning more about Macklin Celebrini…and it’s good.
Last week at the Pittsburgh Penguins, the superstar center lost his regular right winger Will Smith to an upper-body injury.
Celebrini, however, hasn’t skipped a beat since Smith’s injury, scoring three goals and nine points since his best friend went down early in the third period at Pittsburgh.
He’s also doing all this with rookie Igor Chernyshov and sophomore Collin Graf on his line. Full respect to the very talented Chernyshov and surprising Graf, but this is not the top line that the Sharks envisioned over the summer.
But what Celebrini is demonstrating, more so than in his rookie campaign, is an ability to slow down the game and make his teammates better.
Last year, a trademark of Celebrini’s game was go-go-go, a breakneck pace that pressured opponents with shot volume, slot passes, and hound-like forechecking. While Celebrini is still doing all that, he’s also controlling the pace of the game like a chessmaster, at times.
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