The San Jose Sharks have a chance to end 2024 on a high note when the team plays host to the Philadelphia Flyers this evening. The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 11, when the Flyers won 4-3 in the shootout.
Like the last game, this one will focus on two of the top rookies in this year’s Calder Trophy race. Matvei Michkov recently took back control of the rookie scoring race. Michkov has 29 points in 35 games good for a 0.83 points per game stat. Meantime, Macklin Celebrini has 27 points in 27 games. While he trails Michkov by two points, Celebrini is at a point-per-game pace. Both players are tied with 12 goals apiece.
At even strength, Celebrini has two points more than Michkov. Meantime, Michkov has four more power play points than Celebrini. Both players have three game-winning goals. All three of Michkov’s goals came in overtime. Both players’ shooting percentages are well outside the norm. Celebrini has 90 shots this season and is shooting at 13.3%, while Michkov has 71 shots this season and is shooting at 16.9%.
In terms of ice time, Celebrini is second among all rookies. He’s averaging 19:58 per game. Michkov is tied for seventh on the rookie list when it comes to ice time. He’s at 16:38 per game.
The one place Michkov has a step up on his NHL fines. The forward recently received his first fine from the Department of Player Safety. Yesterday, the DoPS fined Michkov $2,473.96 for high-sticking Los Angeles forward Quinton Byfield.
Offsetting minors here for Byfield and Michkov 😅 pic.twitter.com/GMcnJ18r9e
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 30, 2024
The Flyers are 4-6-0 in the team’s last 10 games. It lost to the Kings on Sunday by a score of 5-4.
Travis Konecny leads the team with 41 points in 37 games. He also has the team lead in goals with 16. Samuel Ersson is the Flyers’ 1A goaltender. He has an 8-6-2 record with a 3.14 goals against average and an .880 save percentage.
San Jose Sharks lines tonight
The Sharks have made some changes leading into today’s game. William Eklund is on injured reserve, while Collin Graf was recalled from the Barracuda. Carl Grundstrom missed practice on Monday, so it’s possible that Graf plays as early as today.
The #SJSharks have recalled F Collin Graf from the @sjbarracuda. Graf is tied for first among @TheAHL rookies with 26 points on the year, leads the group with 20 assists.
— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) December 31, 2024
In a corresponding move, F William Eklund has been placed on injured reserve.
That said, we’re guessing that Grundstrom is not seriously injured and the lines will be the same as Saturday. As of this writing, there’s no word of who will start in net. We want to see Yaroslav Askarov, so we’re putting his name in as the starter.
Forwards
Klim Kostin – Mikael Granlund – Tyler Toffoli
Fabian Zetterlund – Macklin Celebrini – Will Smith
Ty Dellandrea – Nico Sturm – Carl Grundstrom
Luke Kunin – Alex Wennberg – Barclay Goodrow
Defense
Cody Ceci – Henry Thrun
Mario Ferraro – Timothy Liljegren
Jan Rutta – Shakir Mukhamadullin
Goaltenders
Yaroslav Askarov
Alexandar Georgiev
Philadelphia Flyers lines vs. San Jose Sharks
As for the Flyers, here’s what NHL.com says the Flyers lines will look like.
Forwards
Owen Tippett – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Scott Laughton – Morgan Frost – Matvei Michkov
Joel Farabee – Ryan Poehling – Garnet Hathaway
Defense
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula – Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale
Goaltenders
Samuel Ersson
Aleksei Kolosov
How to watch the Philadelphia Flyers at San Jose Sharks Dec. 31, 2024
Sharks fans can watch the game on NBC Sports California or listen on the Sharks Audio Network.
Flyers fans can watch on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast will air on 97.5 The Fanatic or on Flyers Radio.
The puck drops at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET at SAP Center in San Jose.
