Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
This was like the SAP Center of yore.
Will Smith could feel the buzz even before the game, the San Jose Sharks’ first appearance at home in almost two weeks, sellout crowd.
“In warm-ups, I was like, this place is bumping,” Smith said, after the Sharks’ 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers. “I knew it was gonna be a big night, especially with an Original Six team here. We definitely felt the energy.”
The San Jose Sharks carried that energy over to drop of the puck, racing out to a 2-0 lead just 3:08 in. His squad overwhelmed, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan called a timeout.
Four minutes later, Macklin Celebrini blasted his second goal of the night.
Three goals scored, the crowd’s impulse wasn’t to cheer for tacos — Taco Bell has been giving away free tacos for years when the Sharks reach three goals at home — instead, they serenaded Celebrini with “MVP” chants.
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