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.
The Sharks are using the same defense pairs as they did Thursday in STL: Thompson in, Thrun out.
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 23, 2024
Nico Sturm is improving from his injury, but is still day to day.
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+.