ELMONT, NEW YORK – When the puck drops between the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders on Tuesday night, the NHL needs to be put on notice.

Sure, this matchup features two unlikely Stanley Cup Playoff teams, but it has the last two No. 1 picks from the NHL Draft.

Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini has already been voted as the next Face of the NHL by his peers. His franchise potential and national media coverage for a struggling Sharks team prove that he is one of, if not the best, young superstar in the NHL.

Macklin Celebrini topped Connor Bedard in The Athletic’s player poll for next face of the NHL 😳

One player: “Macklin’s like a cross-breed of Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. I feel Bedard needs help to be good. Celebrini, I feel it’s like he’s carrying his line, his team.” pic.twitter.com/7CQnFV4dkR— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) September 18, 2025

Islanders star Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 No. 1 pick, is quickly gaining popularity. The defenseman has made top headlines with his draft story and adversity, but his play on the ice has been nothing short of spectacular.

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In five games, the Islanders’ d-man has one goal and four assists. He has one point in every game this season. He is the first NHL defenseman ever to have a five-game point streak from the start of the season.

While Celebrini hasn’t had too much interaction with Schaefer, he recognizes his strong play this season. Celebrini told reporters that they said hi to each other in Toronto last year. The San Jose Sharks star arrived in New York, aware of the storyline between himself and Schaefer.

“We’ve all seen how highly everyone’s talking about Matthew and the impact that he’s been able to have on his team. What he’s been able to do in a short amount of time,” Celebrini said. “Everyone sees it, he’s the No. 1 pick, so he gets a lot of attention. It’ll be a challenge.”

Celebrini and the Sharks are still searching for their first win of the season through five games. The Islanders are trying to win a third straight game.

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“Looking forward to playing this team,” Schaefer said to Stefen Rosner of NHL.com. “Very talented group, but I say this a lot, we’re focused on what we have in here and we’re ready.”

With Celebrini in year two and Schaefer in year one, the Sharks alternate captain has a slight edge in how to go through his rookie season with tons of attention.

“Comes with its own challenges. It’s fun playing games and getting back into the routine, but it is different. It’s just not new anymore,” Celebrini said. “You can feel a little more comfortable. Buildings you’ve played in before, certain experiences that you’ve learned from. It’s just a little bit different.”

Even San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky recognizes the spectacle that Tuesday’s game presents.

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“He’s pretty electric out there. His skating really sets him apart from what I’ve watched. Dynamic with the puck. Can play in traffic. He fights the panic really well,” Warsofsky said on Tuesday. “For a young defenseman, as far as getting pressure on him, there’s no panic in this game, which really has jumped out to me.

“We know what he could do with the puck and offensively, but when you think you have him pinned in a corner, next thing you know, he’s leading the rush and he’s driving the puck through the middle of the ice. [The Islanders] got a special one for a long time. Hopefully, we can keep him quiet.”

Michael Misa factors into the face of the NHL conversation, but Celebrini and Schaefer have the special connection of being the No. 1 pick in the last NHL Drafts.

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