Celebrini: 1st matchup vs. Crosby 'doesn't even feel real'

It's safe to assume Macklin Celebrini has his first-ever matchup against Sidney Crosby circled on his calendar.

"He's been the face of the league for so long that it doesn't even feel real," Celebrini said ahead of Saturday's matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby.

Celebrini was drafted first overall this past summer. Crosby was taken in the same spot in 2005, one year before Celebrini was born. The new face of the Sharks admitted he was a big Crosby fan growing up.

"We grew up getting his jersey, getting his sticks," he said. "Always wanted to be like him watching his highlights, so I couldn't be more excited to actually play against him now."

Celebrini added, "He's one of the best players to have ever played the game. I mean, the pace that he's still keeping now, how he's producing and how he's playing now, you can argue he's still at the top of his game. He hasn't lost anything. I couldn't be more excited to play against him."

Crosby posted 94 points in 82 games last season at 36 years old. He's nearly at a point per game in the new campaign and is closing in on 600 career goals after recently becoming the 10th player ever to hit 1,600 points.

Celebrini has been limited to six games in his rookie campaign due to injury, but he's managed three goals and one assist.

The Penguins and Sharks enter Saturday's clash sitting 26th and 31st in the league standings, respectively.