San Jose Sharks' Ty Dellandrea (10) controls the puck in...

San Jose Sharks' Ty Dellandrea (10) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes' Mike Reilly (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

RALEIGH, N.C. — Macklin Celebrini set up San Jose's first two goals to tie for the NHL assists lead and added an empty-netter, helping the Sharks beat Carolina 4-1 on Sunday night for their first road victory over the Hurricanes since 2018.

Celebrini tied Edmonton star Connor McDavid for the assists lead with 28, and moved a point ahead of McDavid for second in the scoring race with 43 — six behind Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado.

The Sharks had lost six in a row in Raleigh since a 3-1 victory Feb. 4, 2018 — when Celebrini was 11 years old.

Collin Graf, John Klingberg and Alexander Wennberg also scored, and Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 29 shots against his former team.

Jordan Staal scored for the Hurricanes, and Pyotr Kochetkov made 18 saves in his first loss in five starts this season. The Hurricanes dropped to 3-3-0 with a game left on their homestand.

Celebrini found Klingberg in the slot for a one-timer at 7:54 of second period to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead. Wennberg scored off a rebound on a 4:46 to go in the period.

Nedeljkovic was particularly sharp in the third period with 16 saves. Celebrini capped the scoring with the empty-netter with 1:20 left.

San Jose Sharks' Jeff Skinner (53) controls the puck in...

San Jose Sharks' Jeff Skinner (53) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes' Logan Stankoven (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

The Hurricanes kicked off a celebration of the 20th anniversary of their 2006 Stanley Cup champion team on Sunday. Most of the players, and former coach Peter Laviolette, were at the game and will be honored on the ice Tuesday night before a home game with Columbus.

Up Next

Sharks: At Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Hurricanes: Host Columbus on Tuesday night.

------

Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal by Jordan Staal, third right,...

Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal by Jordan Staal, third right, as San Jose Sharks' Mario Ferraro (38) and Timothy Liljegren (37) stand nearby during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME