Sharks at Ducks (preseason game 3): Lines, game thread and how to watch

The San Jose Sharks will have a chance at retribution tonight as the team travels to Anaheim for part two of the home-and-home preseason series. Most of the players on the ice for San Jose will be different than the ones that were simply “okay” last night, according to Head Coach David Quinn, who reiterated that fact in the pregame media scrum.

“Thought a bunch of our forwards were just okay. We’ve just gotta have way more of a desire to get on the inside,” said Quinn. “Got better as the game went on, but I just thought we were a little too soft offensively,

The players may have been back on their heels because of a change in tactics by the Ducks, who have a different game plan under new head coach Greg Cronin. Quinn was not surprised.

“I’ve known Greg a long time. I got a ton of respect for him. He’s a very, very good coach. He’s a great human being,” said Quinn. “I was very happy that he got this opportunity and I knew what we were gonna see last night. The players didn’t.”

Quinn was also complimentary of the youth the Ducks put on the ice.

“Listen, they got a lot of good, young players. They’re a number one rated farm system in our league for a reason,” said Quinn. “On top of the edge that Greg brings, I mean they’ve got good players that have that type of DNA as well. So, I think they’re going to surprise people this year.”

Many of the players traveling for the Sharks tonight are younger and fighting for a roster spot. You will not see veterans like Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, Mikael Granlund or Tomas Hertl in the lineup.

San Jose Sharks Lines for Sept. 27

It’s an optional skate for the players. Among the ones who participated was Georgi Romanov, who is expected to start in net for San Jose. Romanov has impressed Quinn to start the season.

“We’ve all liked what we’ve seen on him so far, and I’m anxious to see him in this exhibition game,” said Quinn.

Thomas Bordeleau will play on the top line alongside Jacob Peterson and Filip Zadina. Peterson was one of those guys that Quinn thought was just “okay” in last night’s game. This will be his chance to prove he deserves a spot in the opening night lineup.

On defense, keep an eye on Nikita Okhotiuk who has had a quality camp so far. Quinn outlined what he’s looking for from the young defenseman.

“Just take another step. He missed, towards the end of last year, missed a chunk of the season, so just, can you continue to get better?” said Quinn. “He’s got his feet under him now; he’s got a game under his belt. So, just another step forward for him.”

Forwards
Thomas Bordeleau – Jacob Peterson – Filip Zadina
Danil Gushchin – Ryan Carpenter – Brandon Coe
Justin Bailey – Tristen Robins – Nathan Todd
Givani Smith – Cole Cassels – Adam Raska

Defense
Henry Thrun – Matt Benning
Nikita Okhotiuk – Kyle Burroughs
Jacob MacDonald – Radim Simek

Goaltenders
Georgi Romanov
Kaapo Kahkonen

Expected Scratches – Gannon Laroque, Ozzy Wiesblatt
*Lineup is subject to change

Anaheim Ducks Lines for Sept. 27

As for the Ducks, there will be some veterans in the lineup since it’s a home game. However, big names like Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale are still not with the team. Both young players are restricted free agents and locked in contract disputes with the Ducks.

The rumor in the hockey-verse is that Zegras wants a two or three year contract worth about $5 million per year. Most people think he was low-balled when the Ducks offered him the length but at around $3 to $4 million per year. So far, it does not look like either side is budging. The longer this goes on, the greater the danger that someone offer sheets Zegras and forces the Ducks’ hand. Zegras had 65 points last season including 23 goals.

As for Drysdale, his last contract was three years at $1.775 million per year, though he was injured for most of last season with a torn labrum. No word on where contract talks are with the young defenseman.

San Jose fans will get a look at another one of Anaheim’s exciting young prospects. Leo Carlsson is expected to center the Ducks’ top line tonight.

Ducks line rushes this AM:

Killorn-Carlsson-Nesterenko
McGinn-Henrique-Kassian
De Leo-Gaucher-Leason
Tracey-Gawdin-Pastujov-Codd

Zellweger-Gudas
Mintyukov-Warren
Wolff-Profaca
Vaakanainen-T. Carrick

Clang-Dostál#FlyTogether

— Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) September 27, 2023

Forwards
Alex Killorn – Leo Carlsson – Nikita Nesterenko
Brock McGinn – Adam Henrique – Zack Kassian
Chase De Leo – Nathan Gaucher – Brett Leason
Brayden Tracey – Glenn Gawdin – Sasha Pastujov/Davis Codd

Defense
Ollen Zellweger – Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov – Noah Warren
Nick Wolff – Luka Profaca
Urho Vaakanainen – Trevor Carrick

Goaltenders
Calle Clang
Lukas Dostal

Clang was in San Jose last night, but did not play. I would expect him to play tonight.

How to watch Sharks Ducks game

You can live stream tonight’s Sharks game through the Sharks’ website at www.sjsharks.com. The radio call will be streamed through the Sharks Audio Network.

If you’re a Ducks fan, the team will live stream the game on its website www.anaheimducks.com and through the Ducks’ mobile app. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET at Honda Center.

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