Sharks at Capitals (game 9): Lines, game thread and how to watch

Maybe day game hockey will help. The San Jose Sharks look to avoid a further trip down history lane when the team enters Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. San Jose is winless in its first eight games, closing in on a franchise record. What’s more, the team has been shutout for 151:30, just 40 minutes away from the team’s scoreless record. The Sharks hope to turn all that round today against the Washington Capitals.

The Capitals aren’t doing much better than the Sharks in the wins department. Washington is 3-3-1 on the season and is seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The team is minus-9 in the goal differential column, while the Sharks are a minus-24. I guess we’ll find out today what happens when you put two teams that can’t seem to outscore their opponents against one another.

Part of the reason the Capitals are minus-9 in goal differential is because Alex Ovechkin is having trouble scoring. The forward scored twice in the past week, but before that, it was crickets. Through seven games, Ovechkin has two goals. At this rate, Ovechkin is on pace for 23 goals this season. That’s a long way off from the 42 he scored last season.

Of course, Sharks fans have nothing to sneer at. The team has troubles of its own, most notably that winless record. Darin Stephens, who runs the Twitter handle @SharksStats offered up this gem earlier this week (before the loss to Carolina).

4th time #SJSharks are winless through their first 7 games, first time since 1998-99 (0-5-2). Their -20 goal differential this season is their worst through 7 games.#NHLStats #HockeyTwitter

— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) October 27, 2023

Since it’s the fourth time in team history, I thought it would be interesting to go back and see how the other three times turned out. Here’s what I found:

• In 1998-99, the team lost one more time to go 0-6-2 but pulled out of it in its 9th game of the season on Oct. 31. Interestingly, that team went on to make the playoffs.
• In 1995-96, the Sharks either lost or tied the first 11 games of the season (back then ties weren’t decided, they just were if you didn’t score in OT) and didn’t win until Nov. 4. That team followed the win with a string of seven losses and ultimately finished the season with a 20-55-7 record.
• In 1993-94, San Jose started the season 0-8-1 and did not win until Oct. 26. That team also went on to squeak into the playoffs and win the Sharks’ first ever playoff round against the then-dominant Detroit Red Wings.

So, for you optimistic Sharks fans, sometimes teams pull out of it and go on to make the playoffs. For you pessimists, don’t bet on it. This team is no built like those in the days of yore. Plus, there were fewer teams in the NHL back then and just as many playoff spots as there are now.

San Jose Sharks lines

With the early start today, we’re not likely to get too much in the way of official lines. Head Coach David Quinn thought that it might be possible that Mikael Granlund would play today. He’s considered a game time decision.

Also earlier today, the Sharks sent Jacob Peterson and Thomas Bordeleau back to the Barracuda, so it sounds like they’re not going to play this afternoon.

On the backend, Marc-Edouard Vlasic played Friday in the loss to the Carolina Hurricanes after sitting two games. Vlasic had 16:34 of ice time and was one of the least impactful players in terms of possession. He replaced Matt Benning, who Quinn said was day-to-day. Benning is better and Quinn says he will play today, so it will be interesting to see if Vlasic finds himself watching from the upper decks again.

In net, San Jose Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka reports that it will be Mackenzie Blackwood.

#SJSharks coach David Quinn says Mackenzie Blackwood will start today. Matt Benning will also draw back in, but unclear as to which defenseman will come out of the lineup for today's game vs. Washington.

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 29, 2023

Okay, so with all that information, here’s what the lines could look like today.

Forwards

Anthony Duclair – Tomas Hertl – Filip Zadina
William Eklund – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Kevin Labanc – Nico Sturm – Mike Hoffman
Givani Smith – Ryan Carpenter – Luke Kunin

Defense
Mario Ferraro – Kyle Burroughs
Ty Emberson – Matt Benning
Nikolai Knyzhov – Jan Rutta

Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen

Washington Capitals lines

Meanwhile, for the Capitals, here’s what the lines could look like courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com.

Forwards
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano – Evgeny Kuznetsov – T.J. Oshie
Connor McMichael – Nicklas Backstrom – Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn – Aliaksei Protas – Matthew Phillips

Defense
Martin Fehervary – John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alexander Alexeyev – Nick Jensen

Goaltenders
Darcy Kuemper
Hunter Shepard

San Jose Sharks at Washington Capitals how to watch

Today’s game will be broadcast regionally on NBCSCA. Streaming is available with a subscription to ESPN+ (blackout restrictions may apply). The radio call will be streamed through the Sharks Audio Network. Capitals fans can watch the game on MNMT.

The game starts at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!