Wild at Sharks: Lines, gamethread, and where to watch

The Sharks (16-10-2, 3rd Pacific) wrap up the second half of a weekend back to back hosting the Minnesota Wild (14-11-3, 5th Central) this evening. The Wild have disappointed so far this season, struggling through a campaign in which many (hello) expected them to build on a dominant 106 point 2016-17 season. An injury to key forward Zach Parise plays a factor, to be sure, but the Wild's 6-8-1 road record may be more to blame for their unenviable position.

Minnesota has been hot lately, though, winning three of their last four games, most recently a 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks in Anaheim. Defenseman Matt Dumba is making the most of his ice time due to the absence of Jared Spurgeon to illness, as he has scored the Wild's last two overtime winners.

Tonight also marks the first visit of Alex Stalock to San Jose since his ouster to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline of 2016, and a return of former Shark Charlie Coyle. Coyle was sent to Minnesota as part of the package used to acquire Brent Burns during the 2011 offseason. Coyle has developed into a solid NHL center, and enters the evening's festivities on a six-game point streak.

The Sharks should be riding high tonight after last night's 5-0, 50 shot dismantling of the crumbling Ottawa Senators. It seems our reports of the demise of San Jose's offense were premature, as the Sharks have scored five goals in each of their last two outings, and, as of this writing, nine goals in a row. Of those ten goals, six were special teams tallies and one came in three on three overtime, so if we're still looking for something to complain about, and I always am, five on five scoring could use a boost.

Tonight could mark a sweep of the Sharks' current homestand, as they'll hit the road on Thursday to take on the three Western Canada teams over the weekend.

Sharks Lines

Melker Karlsson -- Joe Thornton -- Joe Pavelski

Tomas Hertl -- Logan Couture -- Kevin Labanc

Timo Meier -- Chris Tierney -- Joel Ward

Marcus Sorensen -- Ryan Carpenter -- Jannik Hansen

Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Justin Braun

Brenden Dillon -- Brent Burns

Joakim Ryan -- Tim Heed

Martin Jones

Aaron Dell

Scratched: None

Injured: Joonas Donskoi (lower body), Mikkel Boedker (lower body), Barclay Goodrow (lower body), Dylan DeMelo (head)

Ryan will likely draw back into the lineup for DeMelo, after the latter left last night's game early due to a facial injury courtesy of law-abiding citizen and all-around gentleman Alex Burrows.

Wild Lines

Jason Zucker -- Mikko Koivu -- Charlie Coyle

Nino Niederreiter -- Eric Staal -- Mikael Granlund

Tyler Ennis -- Matt Cullen -- Joel Eriksson Ek

Marcus Foligno -- Daniel Winnik -- Zack Mitchell

Ryan Suter -- Matt Dumba

Jonas Brodin -- Ryan Murphy

Gustav Olofsson -- Nate Prosser

Alex Stalock

Devan Dubnyk

Scratched: Chris Stewart, Mike Reilly

Injured: Zach Parise (back), Jared Spurgeon (groin)

Cullen should draw back into the lineup after his first healthy scratch of the season in place of Stewart. Olofsson will get his shot tonight in favor of Reilly.

Where to watch

Broadcast: NBCSCA, FS-N+

Stream: NHL.tv / NHL App

Radio: 98.5 KFOX / NHL App / Sharks App