Cody Ceci scored the game-winning goal with 25 seconds remaining in regulation as the San Jose Sharks edged the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday night.
With the game knotted at 2-2, Ceci unleashed a slap shot from the blue line that slipped past Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom to secure the victory.
Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves for the Sharks, while Markstrom stopped 21 shots for the Devils.
Macklin Celebrini gave San Jose a 2-1 lead early in the third period with a wrist shot during his first shift, but New Jersey’s Paul Cotter equalized shortly after.
Nikolai Kovalenko scored his first goal for the Sharks late in the opening period following his acquisition in a trade last month. Nico Hischier, celebrating his 26th birthday, tied the game for New Jersey in the second period on a power play, redirecting a pass from Jack Hughes.
Takeaways
Devils: New Jersey has dropped four straight games on their six-game road trip, struggling to find consistency since the holiday break.
Sharks: San Jose earned back-to-back wins over playoff contenders after ending an eight-game skid with a victory against Tampa Bay on Thursday. Askarov viewed as the Sharks’ goalie of the future, delivered another strong performance in his second consecutive start.
Key Moment
In the final seconds of regulation, Jonas Siegenthaler lost his footing in the Devils’ defensive zone. Alexander Wennberg capitalized by recovering the puck and feeding it to Ceci at the point. Ceci’s slap shot deflected off Markstrom’s glove and into the net, clinching the win.
Key Stat
Celebrini’s 13th-season goal moved him into first place among rookies, surpassing Matvei Michkov of the Flyers.
Up Next
The Devils will travel to Seattle on Monday to face the Kraken, while the Sharks will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
