Sharks provide update on the injured Macklin Celebrini ahead of Blues matchup
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Macklin Celebrini is a game-time decision for the Sharks against the Blues, with Sam Dickinson in over Nolan Allan and Alex Nedeljkovic in goal.
The San Jose Sharks are waiting on their captain.
Macklin Celebrini is a game-time decision for Thursday night's road game against the St. Louis Blues, and the rest of the lineup is already taking shape.
Celebrini was a late scratch for Monday's 5-0 loss to the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury, and San Jose took its first loss of the season without him.
He did take part in the morning skate Thursday after missing practice the past two days, but the Sharks will wait to see how he feels closer to puck drop.
The 20-year-old has five assists through two games, which leads the team even with the missed game.
What we know about the lineup
Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now passed along the early lineup details.
Sam Dickinson will play ahead of Nolan Allan on the blue line, and Alex Nedeljkovic gets the start in goal.
Nedeljkovic shares the crease with Yaroslav Askarov, and Dickinson and Allan both made the opening night roster.
If Celebrini can't go, Ty Dellandrea is a candidate to stay in the lineup.
Why Celebrini matters so much
Last season Celebrini finished fourth in the NHL with 115 points, built on 45 goals and 70 assists in all 82 games.
He was also named the 11th full-time captain in Sharks history before this season began.
San Jose is 2-1-0 and chasing its first playoff trip since 2019.
Losing the guy who drives the offense, even for a night, is a real problem for a young team trying to build early momentum.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, so an answer on Celebrini should come soon.
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