Sharks’ Celebrini doesn’t practice, status for Saturday’s game in question

SAN JOSE – One night after his spectacular NHL debut, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini missed practice Friday with an injury, and his status for Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks appears to be in question.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Friday that Celebrini had a lower body ailment and was being evaluated.

Celebrini scored the first two points of his NHL career on Thursday before a raucous sellout crowd at SAP Center as the Sharks built a three-goal lead over the St. Louis Blues in the second period. Celebrini scored the first goal of the Sharks season at the 7:01 mark of the third period and later assisted on a goal by Tyler Toffoli.

But the Sharks let up and allowed three goals in the third period, including the tying goal with 47 seconds left in regulation, before Brayden Schenn scored just 45 seconds into overtime to give the Blues a 5-4 win.

Without Celebrini on Friday, Warsofsky moved Mikael Granlund into the top-line center spot as the team tried to correct the issues that led to a bitter overtime loss in its season-opener.

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