The Sharks are in action tonight against the Calgary Flames as they look to extend their winning streak to 3 games. The Sharks are currently sitting in a playoff spot, looking at point percentage, the first time they have been in this position this year.
They will need to do so with various key absences upfront. Smith and Kurashev have been placed on IR. Kurashev will be out week to week with an upper-body injury, while Smith will be reevaluated in a week. Warsofsky said that Smith would likely not need surgery to resolve the issue at this point, but the fact that surgery is considered an option suggests this may be a more serious issue. Regardless, we will have to wait at least a week for more information on his return timeline. Finally, Warsofsky announced today that Adam Gaudette is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will be out tonight; he has not been placed on IR.
The Sharks' lines tonight are as follows.
Graf - Celebrini - Chernyshov
Eklund - Wennberg - Toffoli
Cardwell - Dellandrea - Skinner
Goodrow - Ostapchuk - Reaves
Ferraro - Liljegren
Orlov - Klingberg
Mukhamadullin - Iorio
Askarov
Scratches: Gaudette (injury), Dickinson, Leddy
Up front, the most notable changes are the addition of Chernyshov and Cardwell in place of Kurashev and Smith. Chernyshov is making his NHL debut on Macklin Celebrini’s wing, probably the best situation for him to show what he can do at the NHL level. The top prospect has excelled in the AHL this season with 23 points in 25 games. As for Cardwell, he gets a chance on the 3rd line, he has a goal in 4 games, and with Kurashev out week to week, he may get his first real extended look at the NHL level.
On defense, Dickinson and Leddy sit for Mukhamadullin and Iorio. Mukhamadullin is returning to the lineup after missing the last game with an injury. Dickinson is getting another rest day and is not being scratched for performance. The Sharks have been patient with Dickinson as he adjusts to the grind of a full NHL season. Leddy had a rough game against Pittsburgh his last time out; he has frequently been in and out of the lineup this season.
In the net, Askarov is starting again. His play has slipped from his incredible November, but that was always expected. He has still been solid in the net for the Sharks this season.
This will be a big test for a banged-up Sharks team, who have a chance to create some separation in what is a very crowded Western Conference right now.