All eyes will be on the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings tonight, not because of the teams playing but because it marks the return of Patrick Kane to the NHL. This will be Kane’s first game back since May 1, when the New York Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs. He had hip resurfacing surgery in the offseason and did not sign in free agency. On Nov. 28, Kane signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Red Wings. According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Kane will likely skate on a line with Joe Veleno and former Chicago teammate Alex DeBrincat.
DeBrincat shares the team scoring lead with Dylan Larkin. They each have 24 points this season. DeBrincat also leads the team with 13 goals. The Red Wings are very much in the playoff race. The team currently sits at third in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Florida Panthers with a game in hand.
San Jose Sharks lines
Luke Kunin skated with the team this morning and might be a late option tonight. Matt Benning didn’t skate this morning and Ryan Carpenter skated after the morning practice. He’s at least one game away from returning.
Here’s what the lines might look like tonight according to the Daily Faceoff:
Forwards
William Eklund – Tomas Hertl – Alexander Barabanov
Anthony Duclair – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Justin Bailey – Nico Sturm – Kevin Labanc
Jacob MacDonald – Filip Zadina – Mike Hoffman
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Kyle Burroughs
Calen Addison – Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Nikita Okhotiuk – Jan Rutta
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
Detroit Red Wings lines
As we said before, it looks like Kane will be reunited with former Blackhawks teammate DeBrincat on the second line. Here’s what the lines should look like courtesy of Daily Faceoff.
Forwards
Robby Fabbri – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond
Alex DeBrincat – Joe Veleno – Patrick Kane
Michael Rasmussen – Andrew Copp – David Perron
Klim Kostin – Christian Fisher – Daniel Sprong
Defensemen
Jake Walkman – Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry
Shayne Gostisbehere – Justin Holl
Goaltenders
Ville Husso
Alex Lyon
How to watch San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings
Tonight’s game will be broadcast regionally on NBCSCA. Streaming is available with a subscription to ESPN+ (blackout restrictions may apply). The game is also set to air on the NHL Network. The radio call will be streamed through the Sharks Audio Network. Islanders fans can watch the game on BSD or listen on 97.1 FM.
The game starts at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena.
Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!
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