Welcome back Timo Meier. This will be Meier’s first game at the Shark Tank since he was traded away to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26, 2023. Since there are very few things to look forward to in this tank season, Meier’s return to San Jose is something we’ve had circled on our calendars for a while now. We’ve already looked back at the trade and how it’s turned out for both teams here, and we’ve highlighted all the things we loved about Timo Meier while he was wearing teal. Now, it’s time to focus on the teams.
The Sharks are starting to string together another set of losses. San Jose has lost three in a row and is once again tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for worst in the league. Chicago has played more games than the Sharks, so San Jose has a little catching up to do, but the two teams are tied in points. Without any timeline for the return of Logan Couture or Tomas Hertl, it’s not likely to get better soon.
Meanwhile, the Devils are on the outside looking in at a playoff race that’s not really in the team’s favor. As of this morning, New Jersey (62 points) is fourth in the Eastern Conference wild card race, trailing the Detroit Red Wings (70 points) by eight points. The Tampa Bay Lightning (69 points) hold the second wild card spot and are seven points up on the Devils. Plus, there’s the pesky Washington Capitals (63 points) in the middle. And we haven’t even mentioned the New York Islanders (62 points) who are right on the Devils heels. In other words, the path to the playoffs for New Jersey is getting murky.
With every single point important, the Devils need a win tonight and the team doesn’t care if it’s in regulation or overtime. Sharks fans would prefer a Devils win in regulation, but the Sharks may have something to say about that.
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Sharks won the last one on Dec. 1, 2023 by a score of 6-3. Jesper Bratt leads the Devils in scoring with 59 points (21 G, 38 A), while noted Shark killer Tyler Toffoli has 25 goals to lead the team.
San Jose Sharks Lines Feb. 27, 2024
It sounds like Marc-Eduardo Vlasic is out with an injury and is even questionable for Thursday’s game against the Ducks. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Blackwood gets the start against his former team.
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Luke Kunin – William Eklund – Filip Zadina
Alexander Barabanov – Nico Sturm – Kevin Labanc
Justin Bailey – Ryan Carpenter – Mike Hoffman
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Ty Emberson
Henry Thrun – Jan Rutta
Nikita Okhotiuk – Kyle Burroughs
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
New Jersey Devils lines vs. San Jose Sharks
Look for the Devils to ice Meier on the top line alongside Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. Jack Hughes will center the second line. Here’s how the Devils will likely line up, according to Daily Faceoff.
Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Curtis Lazar
Tyler Toffoli – Erik Haula – Dawson Mercer
Tomas Nosek – Chris Tierney – Alexander Holtz
Defenseman
Kevin Bahl – John Marino
Luke Hughes – Brendan Smith
Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec
Goaltenders
Nico Daws
Akira Schmid
How to watch New Jersey Devils at San Jose Sharks 2/27/24
You can watch the Sharks game on NBCSCA or listen to the play-by-play through the Sharks & SAP Center App.
Devils fans can watch the game on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network on the team’s website or through the mobile app.
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET at SAP Center. If you’re not at the game, come back here to join other Sharks fans in discussing the game as it happens.
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