Overview
The San Jose Sharks are getting back forward Melker Karlsson, who will be making his season debut after recovering from a lower body injury, tonight as the San Jose plays host to the New York Islanders as they wrap up a four-game home stand. After getting shutout by the Anaheim Ducks last time out, the Sharks will look for a much better start against the Islanders.
These two teams have already faced each other once this season, with the Islanders emerging with a 6-3 victory back on Oct. 17, which snapped San Jose’s four-game winning streak to begin the year. The Sharks held three separate one-goal leads in that contest, and will be looking to make amends for that performance.
Team Stats
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Players to Watch
Sharks: Melker Karlsson will be making his season debut against the Islanders tonight. He was named the Sharks’ Rookie of the Year with 13 goals and 24 points in 53 games, including a five-game goal scoring streak to tie a Sharks rookie record.
Islanders: Johnny Boychuk is second on the team in ice time at 21:58 per game. He had the team’s only goal on the power play on Sunday against the Boston Bruins.
Injuries/Scratches
Sharks: Ben Smith (head) and Logan Couture (fractured right fibula) are out.
Islanders: Eric Boulton (lower body) and Thomas Hickey (lower body) are out.
Keys to the Game
1) 60-Minute Game
So, this is basically another way of me saying the Sharks need to play a complete hockey game. They can’t just play well for the latter 40 minutes of the hockey game and not perform nearly as well in the first period like Saturday night against the Ducks. Be mentally focused and ready right when the puck drops at center ice. Get off to a strong start and carry that throughout the full 60 minutes.
2) Put the “Power” in Power Play
The Sharks are a remarkably poor 0-for-19 on the power play at home so far this season. That’s unacceptable. I don’t care if it’s missed shots, the inability to retrieve the puck and keep it in the zone, or just simply the inability to put that puck in the back of the opponent’s net. They need to start converting on the power play, and it starts with possibly tinkering around with the line combos first, and then the execution. The Islanders have a great penalty kill that’s among the top-5 in the league, so the Sharks should have another challenge on their hands tonight.
Next: San Jose Sharks Recall Two Former First-Round Picks
TV/Radio Broadcast
TV: CSNCA
Radio: 98.5 KFOX