This would be the point in the article where we point out how poorly the Sharks are doing and wonder if today is the day that the team gets its first win. But we’re not going to do that. We’re going to pretend that all is well or at least average.
The Philadelphia Flyers enter SAP Center with a 5-6-1 record. The team is still smarting from a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Things may not get better tonight. That’s because Philly is without top goaltender Carter Hart. He’s on the road trip, but likely won’t be healthy enough to play tonight.
Tonight will mark the return of Sean Couturier, back from injury. Travis Konecny leads the team with 12 points. He also has nine goals. Samuel Ersson and Cal Petersen are sharing duty in net while Hart recovers.
As for the Sharks, it sounds like Alexander Barabanov is still recovering from his broken finger, but he may be back sooner than expected. Meanwhile, Benning is back on the ice for the Sharks, though he’s not ready to return to the lineup yet.
San Jose Sharks lines
To the big news in tonight’s lineup, where we will finally see the Tomas Hertl – William Eklund combination unleashed on the world. So far, Eklund has played alongside Mikael Granlund whenever Granlund was healthy, but the Sharks need goals and loading up a single line seems to be the answer.
Another interesting bit of news, Filip Zadina was left out of line rushes on Monday as the team tried to figure out how it was going to play tonight. Then, there was a change of heart.
David Quinn said this about Zadina getting in the #SJSharks lineup tonight: "Things change. It wasn't one thing in particular that happened. It was just maybe me taking a deep breath and making a more educated assessment."
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) November 7, 2023
As The Hockey News’ Max Miller reports, Head Coach David Quinn took a breath and made a “more educated assessment” of his lines. Since Mike Hoffman and Nikolai Knyzhov were among the last players back in the locker room after this morning’s skate, we’re guessing that Hoffman’s the odd forward out tonight.
Forwards
William Eklund – Tomas Hertl – Fabian Zetterlund
Anthony Duclair – Mikael Granlund – Filip Zadina
Jacob MacDonald – Nico Sturm – Kevin Labanc
Givani Smith – Ryan Carpenter – Luke Kunin
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Ty Emberson
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Kyle Burroughs
Nikita Okhotiuk – Jan Rutta
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
Sounds like Blackwood starts tonight with Kahkonen backing up. Magnus Chrona was returned to the Barracuda yesterday.
Philadelphia Flyers lines
Former Sharks beat reporter Kevin Kurz is now covering the Flyers for The Athletic. He reports that it will be Ersson in net with Peterson backing him up.
Per Torts:
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) November 7, 2023
Couturier back in tonight.
Ersson in net. Petersen backing up.
Frost and Mete out.
Forwards
Owen Tippett – Sean Couturier – Cam Atkinson
Travis Konecny – Scott Laughton – Tyson Foerster
Joel Farabee – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Nicolas Deslauriers – Ryan Poehling – Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula – Sean Walker
Louis Belpedio – Nick Seeler
Goaltenders
Samuel Ersson
Cal Peterson
How to watch the Philadelphia Flyers at San Jose Sharks
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. Flyers fans can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET at SAP Center.
Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!
As many of you know, Fear the Fin is an independent site run by Sharks fans for Sharks fans. Help keep Fear the Fin independent by contributing to our