Sharks Make Statement Win in Home Opener

For the first time since 2021, the San Jose Sharks won their home opener to kick off the new season.

Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini put up a combined six points, and Luca Cagnoni scored his first NHL goal to secure the win over the Florida Panthers.

After a disappointing end to last season, the Sharks started with a bang for the sold-out crowd Thursday night.

Mason Marchment started the fireworks, tallying his first goal in team teal off a shot from the point.

A little later, Jacob Trouba made his introduction as he dropped the gloves against Florida's newly acquired Brady Tkachuk after Celebrini was aggressively thrown to the ground, making him lose his helmet in the meantime.

As the game went on, so did Will Smith, who put up two goals in the middle frame, both coming on the special teams.

Just a reminder that Will Smith requested to be on the penalty kill, and it paid off as the first goal from Smith was shorthanded.

Macklin Celebrini on a two-on-one rush set up Smith perfectly to put it behind Panthers netminder Akira Schmid.

With a 3-0 lead, the Sharks started to become comfortable, leading the Panthers to gain momentum and put in three to tie the game.

As the game progressed into the final minutes of overtime, Will Smith set up Luca Cagnoni to squeeze one past Schmid through the five-hole for his first NHL goal, a game-winner.

Sharks beat the Panthers 4-3, marking the return of the shark tank being one of the hardest arenas to play in.

The team brought physicality, speed, and high-IQ plays to have control for the majority of the game.

In addition, the fans were loud; in fact, Celebrini stated it was the loudest in his career.

The San Jose Sharks will look forward to starting a win streak against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings, on Saturday, October 2nd, at home.