Is tonight the night? The San Jose Sharks took a short trip from Sunrise to Tampa Bay for game two of the team’s swing through Florida. The Sharks have yet to win a game this season, but playing the Tampa Bay Lightning may be just the ticket. Earlier today, I posted an article that looked at just how many high-danger scoring chances and shots in general, San Jose’s goaltenders have faced this year. Right up there in the league-wide stats was Tampa Bay’s goaltender Jonas Johansson. It’s hard to believe, but the Sharks might be playing a team tonight with just as poor team defense.
Of course, no matter what the defense was like, the Lightning have always had Andrei Vasilevskiy to fall back on. That won’t be the case tonight. Vasilevskiy is still recovering from back surgery that he had at the beginning of the season, which is why Johansson has been called upon for netminding duty. He hasn’t been bad through seven games. It’s the defense in front of him that has helped the team to a middling 3-2-2 record.
San Jose has placed Alexander Barabanov on the injured reserve list with a broken finger. It’s going to take a few weeks for him to even be close to playing. Meanwhile, Mikael Granlund is back on the week-to-week list, according to San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng. That means there’s a spot to fill.
Earlier today, the team announced that Ryan Carpenter was called up from the Barracuda. It’s doubtful he’ll make it in time to play tonight, but may be an option tomorrow in Carolina.
The #SJSharks have recalled F Ryan Carpenter from @sjbarracuda.
— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) October 26, 2023
In a corresponding move, F Alexander Barabanov has been placed on injured reserve.
San Jose Sharks lines
In place of Barabanov, expect to see Filip Zadina, who was benched for the last game. With San Jose missing one of its top-six forwards, the lines are expected to be jumbled tonight. Peng, who is in Florida with the team, reports that the forward lines will look something like this:
I'm seeing these #SJSharks lines at morning skate, Labanc and Zetterlund getting bumped up with Barabanov out:
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 26, 2023
Duclair-Hertl-Labanc
Eklund-Peterson-Zetterlund
Smith-Sturm-Hoffman
Zadina-Bordeleau-Kunin
While on defense, while Head Coach David Quinn has not committed yet, it looks like Marc-Edouard Vlasic may again be the odd man out.
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Tomas Hertl – Kevin Labanc
William Eklund – Jacob Peterson – Fabian Zetterlund
Givani Smith – Nico Sturm – Mike Hoffman
Filip Zadina – Thomas Bordeleau – Luke Kunin
Defense
Mario Ferraro – Kyle Burroughs
Ty Emberson – Matt Benning
Nikolai Knyzhov – Jan Rutta
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
Expect Blackwood to start tonight and that means Kahkonen will likely get the nod tomorrow.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Rutta. This is his return to Tampa Bay, where he played four seasons. Sure, he’s a season removed from that but he’s still friends with some of the players on the Tampa team.
Former #Bolts defenseman Jan Rutta, who skated in his 300th NHL game Tuesday night, is here checking out morning skate and catching up with some old teammates. pic.twitter.com/x6f4l2Sgqg
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) October 26, 2023
Tampa Bay Lightning lines
Quick thanks to Lightning beat writer Chris Krenn for these lines.
#Bolts morning skate lines and D-pairings stay the same:
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) October 26, 2023
ABB-Point-Kucherov
Stamkos-Paul-Hagel
Jeannot-Cirelli-Merela
Sheary-Glendening-Eyssimont
Watson
Hedman-Cernak
Sergachev-Perbix
de Haan-Raddysh
Fleury-Bogosian
Alex Barre-Boulet will start on the top line for the Lightning. He’s having himself a good start to the season. Our friends at Raw Charge had a nice little piece about Barre-Boulet’s perseverance and why he stick with the Lightning a little longer this time.
Forwards
Alex Barre-Boulet – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Steven Stamkos – Nicholas Paul – Brandon Hagel
Tanner Jeannot – Anthony Cirelli – Waltteri Merela
Conor Sheary – Luke Glendening – Mikey Eyssimont
Defense
Victor Hedman – Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev – Nick Perbix
Calvin de Haan – Zach Bogosian
Goaltenders
Jonas Johansson
Matt Tomkins
San Jose Sharks at Tampa Bay Lightning how to watch
Tonight’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. Lightning fans can watch the game on Bally Sports Sun.
The game starts at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!
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