The Sharks (5-5-0) host the Maple Leafs (7-4-0) for the first and only time this season, and our good good boy Patrick Marleau is coming home. The man known as Mr. Shark by so many returns to the team with which he spent 20 years. Drafted second overall by San Jose in 1997, just months away from the dates on which teammates Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews were born, Marleau holds San Jose’s franchise records for goals (508), points (1082), and games played (1493(!)). Tune in early and make sure to stay hydrated, because what is sure to be an emotional tribute is on tap for the legend.
Back to the present, Marleau has seven points (four goals, three assists) in eleven games for the Leafs, who are coming off of a tough loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. After starting the season hot (6-1-0), the Leafs have struggled as of late, going 1-3-0 in their last four. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen has been hot and cold, as well, where a save percentage of .923 in six wins contrasts starkly with his .842 in four losses. American wunderkind Auston Matthews seems to have picked up right where he left off last year, after winning the Calder trophy for the NHL’s top rookie. Matthews has seven points (four goals, five assists) in his last five games, and leads the Leafs in points (15) and goals (eight).
A strong showing in Buffalo helped the Sharks to a 3-2-0 record on their road trip, and they start a five game homestand tonight with a clean .500 record. Joe Thornton is two points away from 1400, a nice big round number, and one away from sole possession of 19th in all time points. Logan Couture remains red hot, leading the team in points (11) and goals (eight).
Pack your lunch pails and have your tissues ready, kids. We’ve precious few opportunities left to watch number 12 on the ice before we watch it inevitably raised up above it.
Sharks Lines
Kevin Labanc — Joe Thornton — Joe Pavelski
Melker Karlsson — Logan Couture — Tomas Hertl
Joonas Donskoi — Chris Tierney — Mikkel Boedker
Timo Meier — Ryan Carpenter — Joel Ward
Marc-Edouard Vlasic — Justin Braun
Scratched: Barclay Goodrow, Dylan DeMelo, Jannik Hansen
Injured: Paul Martin (ankle)
Kevin Labanc seems to have earned the favor of the day, and Paul Martin is set to miss his ninth game with an ankle injury, as trade rumors begin to swirl.
Leafs Lines
Zach Hyman — Auston Matthews — William Nylander
Patrick Marleau — Nazem Kadri — Leo Komarov
James van Riemsdyk — Tyler Bozak — Mitchell Marner
Matt Martin — Dominic Moore — Connor Brown
Jake Gardiner — Nikita Zaitsev
Frederik Andersen
Scratched: Connor Carrick, Josh Leivo, Kasperi Kapanen
JVR and Martin are back in the lineup after missing one game, at the expense of Josh Leivo, to the consternation of Leafs fans. Most things are to the consternation of Leafs fans, though, so don’t read too much into it.
Where to watch
Broadcast: NBCS-CA, SNO
Stream: NHL.tv / NHL App
Radio: 98.5 KFOX / NHL App / Sharks App
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