Alexander Wennberg's OT goal pulls Sharks past Jackets

Alexander Wennberg scored the overtime winner as the San Jose Sharks edged the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Jack Thompson scored the Sharks' other goal, Fabian Zetterlund posted two assists and goalie Vitek Vanecek was stellar, making 49 saves as San Jose won for the fourth time in five games. Vanecek improved to 7-0-0 in his career against the Blue Jackets.

Kirill Marchenko tallied and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 25 shots for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped three straight (0-2-1).

Wennberg split a pair of Blue Jackets skaters and turned around Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski before beating Merzlikins glove-side for his third of the season at 3:11 of the extra period.

Marchenko tied it 1-1 at 9:17 of the third period, picking up the rebound of Damon Severson's shot and putting it past Vanecek for his fifth of the season.

San Jose was outshot 17-11 in the middle frame but led 1-0 after 40 minutes.

Thompson got the Sharks on the board at 18:49 of the second period, one-timing a Will Smith cross-ice feed past Merzlikins for his first NHL goal.

Carl Grundstrom thought he gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 7:54 of the second, but the Blue Jackets successfully challenged for offside, negating the goal.

Macklin Celebrini returned to the San Jose lineup on Tuesday after missing 12 games due to a hip ailment. The 2024 first overall pick notched a goal and an assist in his NHL debut on Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues in his lone game before aggravating his injury in that contest.

On Tuesday, Celebrini finished with three shots on goal and a minor penalty for holding in 17:06 of ice time.

Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci played in his 800th career NHL game.

Tuesday was the first of two meetings this season between the clubs. The Sharks and Blue Jackets will conclude the season series on Jan. 16 in Columbus.

--Field Level Media