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.

MINNEAPOLIS — Macklin Celebrini has taken off, in part, because of one change in his game.

Through the Sharks’ first three contests of the year, Celebrini had three assists, but just two shots on goal. You can’t score if you don’t hit the net, and the 19-year-old had zero goals.

Compare that to last season, when Celebrini led San Jose with 236 shots in just 70 appearances.

There was talk, in national media, of a sophomore slump.

Celebrini was trying to shoot: He had 13 shot attempts in all situations through three games, but he was missing the net or getting blocked with frequency.

But on Oct. 17 in Utah, in an otherwise one-sided 6-3 loss, Celebrini did more than just score his first goal of the season.

Celebrini, perhaps just as importantly, had three shots on goal, more than his season total going into the game. And, on just three shot attempts.

This was an area of improvement for Celebrini over the summer, as reported on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast.

“We talked about it. He’s got to hit the net,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said recently. “I think the NHL, that I’ve noticed, it’s not always the hardest shot that goes in. It’s the accuracy. It’s the quick release. All these kids growing up, they want to rip it as hard as they can. They want to go bar down. They want to make it look cute.”

Celebrini acknowledged this recently in Long Island: “That’s definitely been a focal point, especially this summer, just getting it on net, putting it low, even create a rebound.”

You also can argue that Celebrini was too deferential to his linemates earlier this season, looking to set them up over shooting himself.

That, however, led to his share of turnovers, forcing passes to covered linemates. Celebrini is an outstanding playmaker, so of course, he should keep trying to connect with his wingers. But he also needed to be more judicious too.

Perhaps seeing the puck hit the twine for the first time this season has unleashed a more selfish Celebrini.

On Oct. 21 against the New York Islanders, Celebrini had six shots and 13 shot attempts.

Also, you often create more offensive pressure with a shot on goal over a missed shot.

Celebrini agreed: “There’s just more that comes from it.”

“He’s worked on it,” Warsofsky said. “He’s extremely coachable.”

The sophomore sensation hasn’t looked back, putting on an absolute show in New York and Minnesota.

Celebrini, at his best, is all about creating constant offensive pressure on his opponent.

“He attacks,” Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said succinctly, when asked about Celebrini last season.

He’s doing it now, after a slow start this season.

Both more careful — Celebrini has also cut down on his turnovers recently — and more aggressive, the 19-year-old is learning how to be a superstar before our very eyes.

There’s too careful, that’s being cautious. There’s not careful enough, that’s being careless. Safe is death — but so is recklessness.

There’s the right level of aggressiveness, that Celebrini seemed to find on the road, on his way to winning NHL First Star of the Week.

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