Celebrini, Bedard take first and second in NHL scoring race

Two young stars, saddled with the highest of expectations, have risen to the top — together.

After a multi-point affair for Macklin Celebrini and a stellar four-point night for Connor Bedard, the young superstars from North Vancouver are now first and second in NHL scoring, respectively.

Celebrini, the first-overall pick in 2024, scored in the first period of the San Jose Sharks‘ win over the Winnipeg Jets to tie Bedard for the scoring lead. The 19-year-old then went on to add a primary assist in the third period.

Prior to Friday’s games, Celebrini was tied for the league scoring lead with Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel at 21 points. Now, he stands alone.

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With his 23 points this season, Celebrini, 19, has tied Wayne Gretzky (1980-81) and Steve Yzerman (1984-85) for most points by a teenager in his team’s first 15 games of a season.

Meanwhile, Bedard dominated in the Chicago Blackhawks‘ 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames as he contributed on every shot that ended up in the back of the net. The 20-year-old had the primary assist on each of the first three goals before shooting the fourth himself.

Bedard reflected on rising to second in scoring after Friday’s game, per Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.

“It’s not really something I’m thinking about too much,” said the first-overall pick from 2023. “Obviously it’s a positive, I guess, But it’s so early. For me, it’s just keep growing my game, keep getting better in every area. Hopefully points keep coming, that’d be great.”

Bedard’s 22 points in 15 games have helped lift the Blackhawks to a 7-5-3 record and fourth in the Central Division.

With the 2026 Milan/Cortina Olympics looming in February, and decisions about who will make the Team Canada roster coming even sooner than that, scoring performances like this from both Celebrini and Bedard won’t make decisions about who to bring any easier.