San Jose Sharks News

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +125 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

Vanecek is battling an upper-body injury and will not suit up Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Mackenzie Blackwood will likely get the start, backed up by Yaroslav Askarov, who was recalled from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will likely serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +129 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

Sturm suffered an upper-body injury on Thursday and has not played since. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 9:50 time-on-ice and has six points (3G / 3A) in 18 games this season.

Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and was acquired by the Sharks via trade in the offseason. The 22-year-old Askarov has a high pedigree, which has been on display in the AHL this season, posting a sublime 1.92 GAA and .939 SV% in nine games (6-3-0). With Vitek Vanecek sidelined for the Sharks due to injury, Askarov could potentially make his Sharks debut between the pipes.

Sturm left mid-way through the second period and was unable to return. We should receive an update on his status ahead of San Jose's game in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Sharks will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

The Sharks will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

Walman ha been a game-time decision the previous two games and will be again on Thursday. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.

Grundstrom will take a seat on Monday as Will Smith (maintenance) draws back into the lineup. Grundstrom has no goals and three assists in 14 games with the Sharks this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks were contemplating taking Celebrini out of the lineup for a maintenance day. The 18-year-old rookie has been impressive early in his first season, despite being limited to only four games due to injury, with four points (3G / 1A). The Sharks have been liberal about resting their young talent early in the season, including resting 19-year-old Will Smith last night.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks are contemplating taking Celebrini out of the lineup for a development day. The 18-year-old rookie has been impressive early in his first season, despite being limited to only four games due to injury, with four points (3G / 1A). The Sharks have been liberal about resting their young talent early in the season, including resting 19-year-old Will Smith last night.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a night after a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils courtesy of an incredible 44-save shutout by Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has a 3.32 GAA and .898 SV% in eight games this season (2-5-0). The Sharks enter the action on Monday as +227 road underdogs against a Philadelphia Flyers club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Smith had the night off on Sunday, a scheduled development day, but will draw back into the lineup on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. After scoring zero points in his first eight games, the 19-year-old Smith has three points (2G / 1A) in his previous four outings.