Sharks' Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith Line: What Makes Them Click?

Sent down to the AHL on January 22, after scoring three goals and 11 points in his first 15 NHL games, Chernyshov's absence was felt. The Sharks are just two points behind the Nashville Predators for the last wild card spot in the Western Conference. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky commented: "He's a man out there".

Chernyshov was recalled on March 12, missing only 14 games. During that time, the Sharks went 6-5-3, and could have used the skilled Russian winger, especially during a five-game losing streak.

Chernyshov has made an instant impact upon his return, notching two goals, including the game-winner, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His impact was evident, even without points against the Blues on Monday.

Macklin Celebrini praised Chernyshov's impact: "He's so big, he's so fast. I think the D, they panic when he's on them, because he's such a big body." Celebrini added that the team will have a lot of success as long as Chernyshov is skating and creating turnovers.

This dynamic was evident in a key third-period shift, where Celebrini, Smith & Chernyshov pinned St. Louis down for a full minute.

The Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith line has shown a blend of skills that complement each other, promising a bright future for the Sharks.

Chernyshov, like Celebrini, is a heavy forechecker, able to carry the puck from blueline to blueline and dominate along the boards, which allows Celebrini to play off the puck more and vice versa.

Smith brings finesse and playmaking, and on a line with two heavy players, this frees him up to do what he does best.

Chernyshov has shown to be most capable of playing at the pace that Celebrini and Smith play at, taking some of the load off Celebrini, who gets a lot of defensive attention.

The line has played together for only four games, not counting the concussion Chernyshov suffered. However, even before that, the Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith combination seemed to fit perfectly.

With Smith at 21, Chernyshov at 20, and Celebrini at 19, the players are just beginning to develop their potential.

The Sharks appear to be building a line that could dominate the Western Conference for the next decade.

Alex Wennberg commented on the pressure Celebrini puts on himself: "I think so. But that's also what separates him from the rest of us...He's working extra-hard, harder than everyone else, and that's why you see he's one of the best players in the league right now".

Macklin Celebrini, on Chernyshov's impact: "He's so big, he's so fast. I think the D, they panic when he's on them, because he's such a big body".

Coach Ryan Warsofsky highlighted Wennberg's good game: "Wenny had a really good game tonight, he had a tough assignment, and he's done it all year long...He has to go down as one of the best shutdown centers in the game right now".