Sometimes the schedule makers just aren’t fair. Today, at least, it feels like they’re trying to be. The San Jose Sharks play in Minnesota today, less than 24 hours after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. The Wild are also on the second night of back-to-back games. Minnesota lost to the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis 3-1. So, both teams traveled last night to make it to today’s game.
This is the first of three meetings between the Wild and Sharks this season. San Jose is obviously trying to ride out the season with a bit of dignity and maybe teach a few young players how to survive in the show along the way.
Minnesota is clawing to get back into the playoff race but looks like its running out of runway to make that happen. As of this morning, the Wild are sixth in the wildcard standings with 62 points. The Nashville Predators have the first wildcard spot with 72 points and the Los Angeles Kings have the second spot with 70 points. The Wild is within reach of the two teams and a streak can help Minnesota get into the conversation. Trouble is, sitting between the Wild and the Kings are three other teams: the Calgary Flames (65 points), St. Louis Blues (65 points) and Seattle Kraken (63 points).
Minnesota is desperate and has something to play for, so don’t be surprised if the Wild come onto the ice and out effort the Sharks today. San Jose has every excuse to take the night off.
Keep an eye on rookie defenseman Brock Faber who would likely be in the Calder conversation a lot more if a guy like Connor Bedard didn’t debut this season. According to the Wild website, Faber leads NHL rookies with 25:08 TOI per game and he has 118 blocked shots. He’s also got points, 34 for the season.
Kirill Kaprizov is the Wild’s top scorer with 63 points. Joel Eriksson Ek leads the Wild with 28 goals. Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury have shared netminding duties this season. Gustavsson has 16 wins and Fleury has 12.
San Jose Sharks lines March 3, 2024
This will be Calen Addison’s first return to Minnesota since he was traded to the Sharks earlier this season. Addison played games in four seasons with the Wild and had 38 points in that span. Sounds like he’s going to be playing some forward again today. This is also a return game for Kaapo Kahkonen, who is scheduled to start in net for the Sharks.
Since it’s a quick turnaround for both teams, we’re guessing at the lineup. The Sharks went with seven defensemen last night and kept Kevin Labanc out of the lineup. It looks like it’s the same today.
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Filip Zadina – William Eklund – Luke Kunin
Justin Bailey – Nico Sturm – Givani Smith
Mike Hoffman – Ryan Carpenter
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Henry Thrun – Jan Rutta
Nikita Okhotiuk – Kyle Burroughs
Calen Addison
Goaltenders
Kaapo Kahkonen
Magnus Chrona
Minnesota Wild lines against the San Jose Sharks
Using last night’s game as a measure, this is how we think the Wild will line up tonight. We’re guessing that Gustavsson starts tonight since Fleury started against the Blues.
Forwards
Matt Boldy – Joel Eriksson Ek – Kirill Kaprizov
Marcus Johansson – Marco Rossi – Mats Zuccarello
Brandon Duhaime – Connor Dewar – Ryan Hartman
Mason Shaw – Jake Lucchini – Vinni Lettieri
Defensemen
Jacob Middleton – Brock Faber
Jonas Brodin – Declan Chisholm
Jon Merrill – Zach Bogosian
Goaltenders
Filip Gustavsson
Marc-Andre Fleury
How to watch San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild March 3, 2024
Sharks fans can watch the game on NBCSCA or listen on the Sharks app.
It’s Star Wars night at Xcel Energy Center, so if you’re a Wild fan and you haven’t got a ticket, get one. If you can’t go to the game, you can still watch on Bally Sports North or you can listen on KFAN 100.3 FM.
No matter which team you’re a fan of, you can stream the game on ESPN+ or Hulu as long as you live in the right place or use a VPN because blackout restrictions do apply.
The puck drops at 4 p.m. PT/6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET at Xcel Energy Center.
Be sure to come back here at game time to talk about a future with Macklin Celebrini along with other Sharks fans.
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