Islanders at Sharks (game 62): Lines, game thread and how to watch

The New York Islanders visit the San Jose Sharks tonight on the eve of the trade deadline. The Sharks are prepared to make some trade deadline moves, hopefully sending players out to gain more future assets. We’ll get to that in a moment. On the other end of the ice, the Islanders appear to be buyers. Islanders’ General Manager Lou Lamoriello told the media that the team is in a good place and will not be selling at the deadline but may add pieces depending on the price.

The Islanders are very much in the hunt for one of those wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. As of 3 p.m. today, the Isles have 68 points, just behind the two wild card spots (Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning) who each have 72 points. What’s more, the Philadelphia Flyers sit in the third spot in the Metropolitan Division and also have 72 points. With the Flyers trading defenseman Sean Walker yesterday, it’s clear there may be an opening for the Islanders to sneak into the playoffs.

The Islanders are bringing a four game win streak into SAP Center tonight, but are wary of the Sharks. The last time these two teams met was at UBS Arena on Dec. 5 when the Sharks beat the Isles 5-4 in overtime.

Mathew Barzal continues to lead the Islanders in points. He has 65 points in 60 games. Brock Nelson has 28 goals so far this season and holds the team lead.

The Sharks have technically only lost one game in a row, according to the NHL.com website, but the team is 1-7-2 in its last 10 games. Things could only get worse from here. San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng is reporting that Alexander Barabanov will not play for trade-related reasons. Anthony Duclair is also questionable for potential trade reasons.

Can confirm Barabanov is being scratched tonight for trade-related reasons. Not sure on Duclair yet.

But told there is “significant interest” in both heading into tomorrow

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 7, 2024

With that in mind, it marks the return of Thomas Bordeleau to the Sharks. Quinn says that Bords will play in the top 9, but has not confirmed where in the lineup he will play. (Who’s rooting for a line of Filip Zadina, William Eklund and Bordeleau?)

San Jose Sharks lines for March 7, 2024

With everything up in the air, here’s what we think the lines will look like for the Sharks tonight. I’m putting Kevin Labanc on the top line because I simply cannot stomach using Mike Hoffman in the top six given the way that he’s played in the most recent games. All offense and no defense should not be rewarded. That’s not the message you should be sending to the young players.

Forwards
Kevin Labanc – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Filip Zadina – William Eklund – Thomas Bordeleau
Justin Bailey – Nico Strum – Luke Kunin
Givani Smith – Ryan Carpenter – Mike Hoffman

Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Kyle Burroughs
Henry Thrun – Jan Rutta
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Calen Addison

Goaltenders
Magnus Chrona
Kaapo Kahkonen

New York Islanders lines vs. San Jose Sharks

For the Islanders, there are no major adds or departures as of late. Here’s what the Daily Faceoff reports the lines will look like.

Forwards
Brock Nelson – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Kyle Palmieri
Pierre Engvall – Casey Cizikas – Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin – Kyle MacLean – Cal Clutterbuck

Defensemen
Adam Pelech – Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov – Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly – Sebastian Aho

Goaltenders
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Where to watch New York Islanders at San Jose Sharks March 7, 2024

Sharks fans can watch the game on NBCSCA or listen on the Sharks Audio Network.

It’s gameday in San Jose!

📍: @SAPCenter
⏰: 7:30 p.m. PT
📺: @NBCSSharks
🎙️: @SharksAudioNet
🎟️: https://t.co/W4Zs530sBB

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 7, 2024

Islanders fans can watch on MSGSN or MSG+ and listen on 88.7 FM, 103.9 FM or 98.7 FM. Anyone can watch the game on ESPN+ or Hulu though blackout restrictions apply.

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET at SAP Center. Be sure to come back here at game time to hang out with other Sharks fans and clock watch to the trade deadline.