Rookie Macklin Celebrini scored two goals and had one assist for his first career three-point game, Will Smith had two assists, and the San José Sharks shocked the Kings 7-2 on Monday night.
Celebrini’s goals highlighted a three-goal outburst early in the third period.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft scored at 1:03 of the third to break a 2-2 deadlock. Timothy Liljegren scored just over a minute later and Celebrini scored on a five-on-three power play to break the game open.
Anze Kopitar and Brandt Clarke scored for the Kings.
Yaroslav Askarov had 22 saves in his first career home start for San José, and Kings goalie David Rittich stopped 14 shots.
Nico Sturm scored on a breakaway at 1:47 of the first period off an outlet pass from Mario Ferraro. Askarov was also credited with an assist.
Takeaways
Sharks: They limped into Monday night’s game having lost six of their last seven games and pulled off an impressive win. Celebrini leads a youth movement that appears to be taking shape for the rebuilding Sharks, with fellow rookies Smith and Askarov also shining. The team’s five-goal third is the most San José has scored in a period this season.
Kings: They were coming off a 2-1 win over Seattle but the Kings have had a hard time building any momentum. They’ve yet to put together a three-game winning streak this season.
Key moment
Fabian Zetterlund scored on a wraparound goal with just over six minutes left in the second period to tie the score at 2-2. It was the first of six straight unanswered San José goals.
Key stat
Kopitar has at least one point in 10 of last 12 games with 16 points over that stretch (three goals, 13 assists).
Up next
The Kings host Winnipeg on Wednesday, and San José hosts Ottawa on Wednesday.