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Will Smith scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period, and the San Jose Sharks beat the visiting Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Friday night.
Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist to move into the NHL scoring lead, and Alex Nedeljkovic finished with 32 saves for his third win in four starts. The Sharks extended their point streak to five gaves (4-0-1).
Josh Morrissey scored the lone goal for Winnipeg, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 25 shots for the Jets, which have dropped both games on their current six-game road trip. The Jets were blanked 3-0 by Los Angeles on Tuesday.
On a scramble in front of the net, Hellebuyck stopped Celebrini’s attempt from the left side of the net. However, the puck sat in front of the line behind him, and Smith tapped it in from the right side with 4:21 remaining in regulation.
Celebrini’s assist was his league-high 23rd point (nine goals, 14 assists) of the season.
The Sharks outshot the Jets 11-9 in a scoreless second period that had no penalties.
Morrissey gave Winnipeg a 1-0 lead with 7:26 left in the opening period with a long snap from the left point.
Celebrini tied it 72 seconds later on a breakaway as he skated in on Hellebuyck and tucked a backhander around his outstretched left pad.
The Jets will look to return to the win column Sunday when they battle the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks.