San Jose Sharks take on the New York Islanders in final game before the deadline

Dec 5, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) celebrates his
Dec 5, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) celebrates his / Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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It's the final game before the 2024 trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks get to see their group together, probably for the last time. They will get to host the New York Islanders in a reverse fixture of the insane comeback the Sharks had on Long Island. Trying to prove they have a bright future in the ceremonial send off for some of these players, they will be looking to destroy the playoff hopes of the Islanders once again.

After being helped off after the game-winning goal by Roope Hintz in the overtime loss to Dallas, the player to watch tonight is William Eklund. With the future of the organization placed on his shoulders, it is important for his development that he stays on the ice. If he cannot play, Thomas Bordeleau was recalled from the San Jose Barracuda and he could replace Eklund, or any of the banged up forwards if it was an urgent need.

Projected Lineups

New York Islanders

Brock Nelson - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Kyle Palmieri
Pierre Engvall - Casey Cizikas - Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin - Kyle Maclean - Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov - Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly - Sebastian Aho
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

San Jose Sharks

Anthony Duclair - Mikael Granlund - Fabian Zetterlund
Filip Zadina - Luke Kunin - Thomas Bordeleau
Alexander Barabanov - Nico Sturm - Justin Bailey
Givani Smith - Ryan Carpenter - mike Hoffman
Mario Ferraro - Kyle Burroughs
Henry Thrun - Jan Rutta
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Calen Addison
Kaapo Kahkonen
Magnus Chrona

Puck Drop

This will be a 7:30 puck drop from the Shark tank. Less than 24 hours from the trade deadline, it's the last time we're going to see a good chunk of this roster in this iteration. If the Sharks can take the two points, they can allow the players leaving to go witht their heads held high. Whether that be the white hot Duclair, or Kaapo Kahkonen carrying the load. We will see what happens for this group tonight.