Comments / New

Sabres at Sharks (game 23): Lines, game thread and how to watch

The San Jose Sharks play host to the Buffalo Sabres today, but it’s really the secondary storyline in a day that’s all about Joe Thornton. Number 19 will be raised into the rafters at SAP Center this afternoon, permanently enshrining Thornton as one of San Jose’s greatest players of all time. Thornton’s number will hang next to Patrick Marleau’s. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. at SAP Center, so be there or at the very least, be in front of your screen to watch it all happen.

As for the game, the Buffalo Sabres make the team’s one and only visit to SAP Center this season. The Sabres are 10-9-1 and amazingly sit in fourth in the Atlantic Division. That’s a testament to how badly some teams in the Atlantic stink.

The Sabres played last night in Anaheim, beating the Ducks in overtime 3-2. The quick hop onto a flight to Northern California, followed by the early start, could hurt the Sabres tonight.

Tage Thompson has missed the last four games with an injury, but he might play tonight. Look for former Shark James Reimer to possibly play tonight since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played last night in Anaheim. The Sabres picked Reimer up off of waivers on Nov. 13 and this could be his first start for Buffalo.

Buffalo’s top scorer is Alex Tuch, who has 20 points in 20 games. Even though he’s missed the last four games, Thompson is the team’s top goal scorer. Thompson has 11 goals this season.

San Jose Sharks lines tonight

Will Smith will be back for the Sharks after a development day. According to San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng, William Eklund is a game time decision. Mackenzie Blackwood will start with Vitek Vanecek backing him up. While Yaroslav Askarov might stay up for a bit longer, he’s likely to head back to the Barracuda soon.

The Merc’s Curtis Pashelka says Jack Thompson stays in and Henry Thrun is out.

Here’s what we think the lines will look like tonight.

Forwards
William Eklund – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Will Smith – Macklin Celebrini – Barclay Goodrow
Tyler Toffoli – Alex Wennberg – Ty Dellandrea
Klim Kostin – Luke Kunin – Carl Grundstrom

Defense
Jake Walman – Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro – Timothy Liljegren
Jack Thompson – Jan Rutta

Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Vitek Vanecek

Buffalo Sabres lines vs. San Jose Sharks Nov. 23, 2024

Because the Sabres played last night, there’s no morning skate to tell us what the team might put on the ice tonight. We’re using the lines from last night as posted by our friends at Die By the Blade, and assuming that Thompson sits out another game. Take all this with a grain of salt.

Forwards
JJ Peterka – Ryan McLeod – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Sam Lafferty
Jason Zucker – Jiri Kulich – Jack Quinn
Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Nicholas Aube-Kubel

Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton

Goaltenders
James Reimer
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

How to watch Buffalo Sabres at San Jose Sharks Nov. 23, 2024

For San Jose Sharks fans, the Joe Thornton retirement ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. PT on NBC Sports California. You can also listen on the Sharks Audio Network. You might want to have a box of tissues nearby. Just saying.

As for Sabres fans. The game will start at 8 p.m. ET on MSG. It’s also on the radio at WGR 550.

Fans watching out of market will be able to see the game on ESPN+.

fear the fin logoCLICK HERE  – SUBSCRIBE to our Newsletter!
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 GoFundMe or buying merchandise. Proceeds help us pay our writers and fund subscriptions to our favorite analytics sites.


Looking for an easy way to support FearTheFin?
Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this holiday season!

Talking Points