San Jose Sharks look to end three game skid when they host the Arizona Coyotes
By Conor Power
Three losses in a row lead the San Jose Sharks into a game at the SAP Center tonight against the Arizona Coyotes, where the eyes of the fans need to be directed toward the future. There was a brief moment where we all had some optimism about the team, but the good feeling during the days of insane comebacks is fading, and we have to go back to accepting the reality of the Sharks' intentions to rebuild. It's a good thing for the franchise, but it is pain and suffering for the Sharks fans.
As for tonight's game, the San Jose Sharks will be looking for any positive. Getting blown out by Los Angeles in the Shark Tank was demoralizing enough, but that complied a blowout loss in Denver and a shutout loss at Mullet Arena, has really started to allow reality to seep through the clouds of denial for some fans.
As for now, the Sharks sit joint bottom of the NHL standings and are below the Chicago Blackhawks on points percentage. As the Sharks look to try and get to the end of the season, positives to take from here on out include youngsters like William Eklund continuing his development well, players like Mikael Granlund increasing their trade value as we approach the trade deadline, and the roster fillers continue to create sensational feel-good stories throughout the remainder of the season.
Projected Lineups
Arizona Coyotes
Clayton Keller - Alex Kerfoot - Nick Schmaltz
Matias Maccelli - Nick Bjugstad - Lawson Crouse
Michael Carcone - Jack McBain - Zach Sanford
Jason Zucker - Logan Cooley - Liam O'Brien
J.J. Moser - Mathew Dumba
Juuso Valimaki - Troy Stecher
Travis Dermott - Michael Kesselring
Connor Ingram
Karel Vejmelka
San Jose Sharks
William Eklund - Tomas Hertl - Filip Zadina
Anthony Duclair - Mikael Granlund - Fabian Zetterlund
Mike Hoffman - Luke Kunin - Justin Bailey
Givani Smith - Jack Studnicka - Kevin Labanc
Mario Ferraro - Kyle Burroughs
Nikita Okhotyuk - Henry Thrun
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Jacob MacDonald
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
Puck Drop
The puck drop tonight is going to be at 7:30 Pacific. San Jose will be looking to try to use the energy of the SAP Center to get back in the win column and build some confidence among these younger players. Guys like Henry Thrun, Nikita Okhotyuk, and William Eklund need to be sure they are developing because it is what is best for the organization moving forward.