The Boston Bruins have not played a game in five days, so the team will be well rested when it takes the ice at SAP Center tonight. The Burins have played two games so far this season and won both of them. There was a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 11 and a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators last Saturday.
Boston is without former captain Patrice Bergeron, who retired at the end of last season. The “C” was then handed to perennial pest Brad Marchand. Marchand will have new linemates for this game, playing alongside Morgan Geekie and Matt Poitras.
On the San Jose side of things, there was a bit of confusion this morning as The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that “sources” within the Sharks informed him that Kevin Labanc would be placed on waivers.
Sources say #sjsharks will be placing forward Kevin Labanc on waivers today.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 19, 2023
Labanc has been a healthy scratch for all three of San Jose's games to start the year. He's in the final year of his deal at $4.725 million and has averaged 0.5 ppg over 432 career GP.
The report went against what several San Jose Sharks beat reporters had reported the day before when they said that Labanc was scheduled to play tonight.
Kevin Labanc will play tomorrow, per Quinn
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 18, 2023
An hour or so later, Seravalli walked back the claims, sort of. He said that Sharks management “changed “reversed course” after informing Labanc’s camp he would be placed on waivers.
After informing Labanc’s camp that he’ll be placed on waivers today, #sjsharks have reversed course and Labanc is now expected to make his season debut tonight.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 19, 2023
San Jose’s excellent beat writers begged to differ.
General Manager Mike Grier told The Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka that Labanc was “never” going to be placed on waivers.
Per Mike Grier, Kevin Labanc was never going to be placed on waivers #SJSharks
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 19, 2023
While Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reported that Head Coach David Quinn was “stunned” by the report.
Quinn says he's not aware of any discussions ever to waive Labanc: "Honestly, and I'm not just saying this, I was absolutely stunned by what was circulated. I don't know what happened, but never, ever discussed."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2023
And The Hockey News’ Max Miller said the waivers buzz was news to Labanc.
Just spoke with Kevin Labanc. He said he was unaware of anything involving waivers today and is excited to play. #SJSharks @TheHockeyNews
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) October 19, 2023
While Labanc was not placed on waivers, Radim Simek was. Now that he’s healthy, the Sharks have too many defensemen in the fold. Simek was assigned to the San Jose Barracuda along with Nikita Okhotiuk, who will play in the AHL on a conditioning assignment. Henry Thrun was sent down to the Barracuda yesterday.
San Jose Sharks lines
Labanc is not the only change to tonight’s lineup. Marc-Edouard Vlasic is healthy and ready to return after a one game injury. He will take Thrun’s place.
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Tomas Hertl – Alexander Barabanov
Filip Zadina – Thomas Bordeleau – Kevin Labanc
Mike Hoffman – Luke Kunin – William Eklund
Givani Smith – Nico Sturm – Fabian Zetterlund
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Kyle Burroughs
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Matt Benning
Nikolai Knyzhov – Jan Rutta
Goaltenders
Kaapo Kahkonen
Mackenzie Blackwood
Boston Bruins lines
The Sharks will face the full force of the Bruins tonight.
#NHLBruins morning rushes:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 19, 2023
Marchand – Poitras – Geekie
DeBrusk – Zacha – Pastrnak
van Riemsdyk – Coyle – Frederic
Lucic – Beecher – Lauko
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Lindholm – Carlo
Forbort – Shattenkirk
Ullmark
Swayman pic.twitter.com/vPEATGXUXb
Forwards
Brad Marchand – Matt Poitras – Morgan Geekie
Jake DeBrusk – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk – Charlie Coyle – Trent Frederic
Milan Lucic – Johnny Beecher – Jakub Lauko
Defensemen
Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort – Kevin Shattenkirk
Goaltenders
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
How to watch tonight’s Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks game
Tonight’s game will be broadcast regionally on NBCSCA. Streaming is available with a subscription to ESPN+ (blackout restrictions may apply). The radio call will be streamed through the Sharks Audio Network. Bruins fans can watch the game on NESN.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET at SAP Center in San Jose.
Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!
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