18-year-old Macklin Celebrini scores a goal in his hyped debut for the Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini didn't take long to make an impact for the San Jose Sharks.

The 18-year-old rookie scored San Jose's first goal of the season and added an assist in his first period as a pro Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues, signifying a brighter future ahead for a franchise that has been in the doldrums the last five years.

“It was awesome,” Celebrini said. “It’s everything I thought it would be for my first game. It was an amazing experience and I'll cherish it for the rest of my life.”

The happy beginning had a sad ending for San Jose as the Sharks blew a 4-1 lead in the third period and lost 5-4 in overtime.

Celebrini's first career goal came on his third career shift and was a fortunate one. The former Boston University star came in on a rush and did a spin-o-rama near the boards before trying a centering pass to William Eklund that hit defenseman Matt Kessel's skate and went past Joel Hofer at the 7:01 mark.

“I just tried to fake up and then just throw one to the middle and see if he could get a stick on it,” Celebrini said. “Just a lucky bounce off the d-man's skate.”

Celebrini didn't even realize he got credit for the goal until teammate Eklund told him during the celebratory scrum.

The goal led to a loud ovation and chants of "Celebrini! Celebrini!" from a fanbase that has been starved for success but is energized by a youth movement led by Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, and 2023 first-rounder Will Smith.

Celebrini wasn't done, adding an assist later in the first period on a pass from behind the net to Tyler Toffoli.

“He did the same thing the first game in preseason we played together, too," Toffoli said. “He's incredible, an incredible talent, works extremely hard. At the end of the day, he wants to win games, too, and he’s going to do whatever it takes.”

Celebrini became the youngest player in NHL history to record two points in the first period of his debut, according to Sportradar, doing at 18 years, 119 days. Shane Doan held the previous mark of 18 years, 362 days, when he had two points for Winnipeg against Dallas in 1995.

He also scored the second fastest first goal ever for a No. 1 pick, trailing only Mario Lemieux, who scored 2:59 into his debut against Boston on Oct. 11, 1984.

“It was cool to get the firsts for both in my career but we lost so it sucks,” Celebrini said of having a goal and an assist.

The debuts for the Celebrini and 19-year-old Smith mark the first time in nearly 26 years that the Sharks had two teens in the lineup and the first time any team had two players picked in the top four of the draft make their debut in the same game since Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner did it for Toronto in 2016.

The two got loud ovations when they came on the ice for warmups from the crowd of 17.435 fans that included Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green. Celebrini's father, Rick, is the director of sports medicine for the Warriors.

The Sharks were one of the most successful franchises in the NHL over a span of 15 seasons, making 14 playoff appearances, five trips to the Western Conference final and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016.

Since getting to the conference final in 2016, the Sharks have missed the playoffs five straight seasons and bottomed out with a 19-win season in 2023-24 when they posted the worst goal differential in a season in 30 years.

The prize for that performance came when San Jose won the draft lottery and the right to draft Celebrini, who had 64 points in 38 games as a freshman at Boston University last season when he won the Hobey Baker award as the top college player.

The pick of Celebrini came a year after San Jose drafted Smith fourth overall and he also joined the NHL after starring at Boston College last season.

While the team on the ice might still be a few years away from competing, the addition of Celebrini and Smith have provided hope to a fanbase sorely in need of it after seeing stars from the previous generation like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson move on in recent years.

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

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, left, and St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou (25) complete for possession of the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbours, left, chases after San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) is congratulated by left wing William Eklund (72) following his goal against the St. Louis Blues during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini skates on the ice after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Jose Sharks' Tyler Toffoli, left, celebrates with Macklin Celebrini, right, after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Jose Sharks center Tyler Toffoli (73) is congratulated by center Macklin Celebrini (71) after his goal against the St. Louis Blues during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) is congratulated by left wing William Eklund (72) after his goal against the St. Louis Blues during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will get his wish to see Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off against San Diego's Yu Darvish in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Darvish will start for the Padres in the winner-take-all game Friday night at Dodger Stadium, where fans tossing balls and trash on the field caused a 12-minute delay in Game 2 last week.

“I’m really excited that he’s going to perhaps be facing Yoshinobu and being able to see Darvish potentially,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

It will be the first matchup of Japanese-born starting pitchers in Major League postseason history.

Ohtani had been anticipating the matchup earlier in the series, when Yoshinobu was slated to start Game 2 against Darvish. But the Dodgers switched Yoshinobu to Game 1 instead.

Darvish gave up one run and three hits — all singles — over seven innings in the Padres' 10-2 win in Game 2. He befuddled Dodgers hitters by using seven different pitches and mixing speeds. He and Yamamoto are good friends, while Darvish was Ohtani's childhood idol.

“Just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day, a playoff game, I think it means a lot," Darvish said through an interpreter.

Darvish was last on the Dodger Stadium mound for an elimination game in the 2017 World Series. He started Game 7 for the Dodgers against the Houston Astros. After just 47 pitches, the Astros led by five runs and went on to win the championship.

“I don't go focus on that time,” Darvish said. “But maybe it is the experience that I have accumulated up until today that’s making me feel calm right now.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't name a starter earlier Thursday, saying only that Yamamoto “will be a part of it.” The team confirmed Yamamoto hours later.

The 26-year-old right-hander has given up a combined 13 earned runs in three starts against the Padres this season. They jumped on Yamamoto for three runs, including a two-run homer by Manny Machado, in the first inning of Game 1.

“It’s just lack of command. When he hasn’t commanded the baseball, he hasn’t been really that good,” Roberts said. “But when he’s convicted and ripping it and attacking hitters with his pitch mix, he’s as good as anyone.”

Yamamoto is the highest paid pitcher in the majors. He signed a $325 million, 12-year deal with the Dodgers in December, having been recruited by Ohtani, who landed his record $700 million, 10-year deal with the team earlier that month.

Yamamoto allowed a season high-tying five runs in Game 1, with seven of the 16 batters he faced reaching base. Roberts mentioned afterward that the rookie may have been tipping his pitches.

“I think we’ve cleaned stuff up,” Roberts said, “and, to their credit, they did a good job scouting and stuff like that. But I think overall, kind of where Yoshinobu is at, I feel really comfortable.”

In a must-win Game 4, the Dodgers used eight relievers to shut out the Padres and win 8-0, setting up Friday's dramatic finale between the heated rivals.

Roberts said the Dodgers will have six or seven relievers available Friday. Jack Flaherty, who put his team in an early hole starting Game 2 before exchanging heated words with Machado, is also in the discussion.

“Somebody will show up and we’ll be ready for him,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said.

He wasn't ruffled by the Dodgers' caginess while comparing his team's approach to that of a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach known as a straight shooter with a single-minded determination to win.

“We're more like Vince Lombardi — power sweep, here it is, Yu Darvish is going to start, here's our lineup," Shildt said. "This is who we are and we're going to compete and execute. If we do that, we'll shake hands and pop champagne.”

Injured shortstop Miguel Rojas won’t be in the Dodgers’ starting lineup Friday, although he’ll be available to pinch hit. Tommy Edman will start at short. Roberts declined to say who will replace Edman in center.

The Dodgers expect All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, their No. 3 hitter, to be back in the lineup after he was a late scratch for Game 4 with a sprained right ankle. He left Game 2 early for the same reason.

“He’s feeling much better today with treatment,” Roberts said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado stands on the field during practice ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

San Diego Padres' Luis Arraez has a praying mantis on his hand during practice ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reacts during practice ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar smiles during practice ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish fields questions ahead of Game 5 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani fields questions ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws on the field ahead of Game 5 of a baseball NL Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) works out ahead of Game 5 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws on the field ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish fields questions ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani fields questions ahead of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)