San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund scores the first goal of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night at SAP Center.Granlund goal puts Sharks on board in second period vs. Penguins

Macklin Celebrini scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Yaroslav Askarov stopped a penalty shot and the San Jose Sharks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Monday night to snap a six-game losing streak.

Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini and Yaroslav Askarov all make impact in San Jose Sharks win over Pittsburgh Penguins

The San Jose Sharks were smarter with the puck on Monday. That helped them snap a six-game losing streak, as they pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When two of the three worst defensive teams in the NHL collide, one might expect sparks. Yet when the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-24-8) faced the San Jose Sharks (15-32-6) Tuesday, it was more like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Granlund didn't participate in Sunday's practice session due to a lower-body injury, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. Despite Granlund's absence from practice, head coach Ryan Warsofsky didn't rule the 32-year-old out for Monday's road game against Boston.

The San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators after Mikael Granlund's two-goal game against the Nashville Predators in the Sharks' 7-5 loss.

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.

BOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Sharks will try to stop their six-game skid when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. San Jose is 14-32-6 overall and 8-16-1 in home games. The Sharks have allowed 191 goals while scoring 137 for a -54 scoring differential.

Saving some of their best hockey for down the stretch, the Pittsburgh Penguins battled to the bitter end Monday night at SAP Center, before ultimately falling, 2-1, to the San Jose Sharks. Desperate to erase a two-game losing streak,

Macklin Celebrini scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Yaroslav Askarov stopped a penalty shot and the San Jose Sharks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 to snap a six-game losing streak.

Macklin Celebrini scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Yaroslav Askarov stopped a penalty shot and the San Jose Sharks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 Monday