Tomas Hertl’s first game back in San Jose after March’s blockbuster trade turned into a statement demolition: 2 goals, 3 assists, and the dagger that ended Macklin Celebrini’s Calder-caliber point streak at 13 games.
The Breakdown: How Hertl Hijacked the Night
Tomas Hertl didn’t just return to SAP Center—he owned it. The 31-year-old center, dealt away by the Sharks last March, posted the first five-point game of his 12-year career, lifting Vegas to a 7-2 laugher that also snaps Macklin Celebrini’s 13-game point streak, the longest by any rookie this season.
The onslaught started early: Hertl assisted on Jack Eichel’s opening strike, then buried a power-play dagger late in the second that made it 5-1. He added another late tally with 4:12 left, silencing the same crowd that once chanted his name.
Numbers That Matter
- Hertl: 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS (career high), +4 rating, 6 SOG
- Eichel: 2 G, 1 A, now riding a six-game point streak (4 G, 7 A)
- Carl Lindbom: 18 saves on 20 shots, improving to 6-1-0 as the emergency starter
- Celebrini: kept off scoresheet for first time since Oct. 26; streak ends at 13 (5-12-17)
Inside the Locker Room: “He had a little extra jump”
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy admitted post-game the staff circled this date when the schedule dropped: “We knew what tonight meant to him. He didn’t say much, but you could see it in the warm-up—he had a little extra jump.”
Sharks Reeling: Celebrini’s Streak Snapped, Defense Exposed
San Jose entered on a mini-high after Alexander Wennberg’s OT winner over Dallas 24 hours earlier. That momentum evaporated in 4:58 when Vegas struck twice in the first 7:19. The Sharks have now allowed 22 goals across their last five home games, a stretch that coincides with Yaroslav Askarov’s promotion to starter.
Asked about Celebrini’s quiet night, coach Ryan Warsofsky cut it short: “He’s 18. He’ll respond.” The bigger worry: San Jose has dropped six of seven and sits six points out of the final wild-card spot.
Playoff Picture: What the Win Does for Vegas
The Golden Knights leapfrog Edmonton into second in the Pacific at 56 points, two behind Vancouver with two games in hand. Their four-game surge has come without starter Adin Hill (lower-body) and top-pair D-man Alec Martinez (illness), underscoring the depth GM Kelly McCrimmon stockpiled.
Vegas is now 11-2-1 since acquiring Mitch Marner in early December; Marner added two assists Sunday and is averaging 1.36 points per night in silver and gold.
Next Up
- Golden Knights: Wednesday at Los Angeles (Kings 3-0-1 in last 4)
- Sharks: Thursday at Washington (Capitals 8-1-1 at home since Dec. 1)
A Vegas win in L.A. would match the franchise’s longest road winning streak (5, done twice) and set up a Saturday showdown with conference-leading Vancouver.
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