Rangers fall to Sharks as Macklin Celebrini scores twice

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Macklin Celebrini had gone a whole two games without scoring a point. The Rangers had to know they were going to pay for that.

Celebrini, 19, who had a hat trick at Madison Square Garden the first time the Sharks faced the Rangers this season, scored two goals in the first period Friday night as San Jose jumped on the visitors early and hung on for a 3-1 win.

The Rangers (21-25-6) closed out their four-game road trip by losing all three games in California after winning the opener of the trip in Philadelphia last Saturday. They have lost eight of their last nine games and 11 of their last 13. They are 1-3 since general manager Chris Drury announced a week ago that the team would be undergoing a “retool’’ of the roster.

Spencer Martin started in goal for the third time on the four-game road trip and made 28 saves. Alex Nedeljkovic made 28 saves for the Sharks (26-21-3)

Before the game, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan gushed about Celebrini, whom he compared to a superstar he had coached with the Penguins.

“What he’s accomplished at his age is impressive,’’ he said. “I made the comment yesterday that he reminds me of a young Sidney Crosby, and it’s the ultimate compliment, you know? And I don’t throw that compliment lightly. That’s a bold statement that I made. But I’m being honest.’’

Celebrini was the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. He leads the Sharks in scoring with 26 goals and 74 points, more than double the 34 points recorded by the team’s second-leading scorer, Alexander Wennberg, and will represent Canada in next month’s Olympic Games in Italy.

“He’s a spectacular hockey player, great for the game of hockey,’’ Vincent Trocheck said. “Tough to play against, does all the little things well, and he’s got tremendous skill.’’

Said Mika Zibanejad: “He’s been one of the best in the league. He’s not only showed that against us, he’s showed that against every team that he played. We look at what he’s been able to do, it’s obviously impressive. Unbelievable player, and at such a young age, to have the impact, that’s impressive. So kudos to him. Obviously, him playing well again didn’t help us.”

Celebrini got the party started early for the Sharks. Zibanejad was called for a tripping penalty 29 seconds into the game and Celebrini made the Rangers pay. He drove to the back post and, though J.T. Miller tied up his stick, the puck banked in off Celebrini’s skate at 1:09 to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

“He plays the game on both sides of the puck,’’ Sullivan said after the game. “He’s a complete player at such a young age. He’s a special player.’’

The Sharks made it 2-0 on a second power-play goal, this one by Pavol Regenda at 3:08. Rookie Michael Misa, the No. 2 overall pick in last summer’s draft, won a battle against Trocheck on the wall and centered the puck to Regenda, alone in the mid-slot. Regenda lifted a backhander past Martin, prompting Sullivan to call his timeout to try to settle his team down.

“Can’t keep spotting teams two or three goals early in the first period,’’ Trocheck said. “It’s just too hard of a league to come back from that . . . We’ve beaten ourselves. I don’t have any answers, to be honest with you, on why.’’

The Rangers had been outshot 9-0 when San Jose’s Collin Graf was called for an interference penalty, giving the Blueshirts their first power play. Gabe Perreault got their first shot on goal on the man advantage, but they didn’t score, and Celebrini scored his second goal at 7:37 of the first period to make it 3-0.

“You can’t start a game like that,’’ Sullivan said. “You know, spot a team a couple of goals and then take seven penalties along the way and think you’re going to give yourself the best chance to win. It’s just not a recipe for success. I think we got to have a readiness from the drop of the puck. And trust me, I’ve thought about it, because the last lately, I think the last few games, we haven’t had the best starts, so I got to do a better job preparing them for it, I guess. I gotta find a way to make sure they’re ready from the drop of the puck.’’

The Rangers got on the board when the fourth line of Anton Blidh, Sam Carrick and Taylor Raddysh put together a big shift and Carrick scored at 12:50 of the first period. It was his third goal of the season and second in the last six games.

Notes & quotes: Zibanejad’s point streak was snapped at 10 games . . . After allowing goals on the Sharks’ first two power plays, the Rangers’ penalty kill snuffed the next five to finish 5-for-7 . . . Blidh entered the lineup in place of Jonny Brodzinski. The other scratches were D Urho Vaakanainen and forward Matt Rempe, who Sullivan said isn’t playing because of the left thumb he injured in a fight with Ryan Reaves the last time the teams played on Oct. 23.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.