San Jose Sharks News

For the first time this season, the Sharks will defer from their goalie rotation and turn to Blackwood for a second straight game. The Sharks continue to search for the first victory of the season (0-5-2) and will hope Blackwood can help them get there after an excellent performance in his last outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, the Sharks enter action on Thursday as significant +262 road underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings club looking to respond from a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

Mukhamadullin had yet to appear for San Jose this season and will head back to the Barracuda (AHL) on Tuesday to get consistent playing time. The 22-year-old appeared in three games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up an assist, five SOG and four PIMs.

Bordeleau had yet to appear for San Jose due to a lower-body injury and has been assigned to the Barracuda (AHL) to get up to game speed. The 22-year-old centre appeared in 27 games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up six goals, 11 points, 18 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus.

The Sharks will continue their early-season goalie rotation and return to Blackwood between the pipes for the third time in their first five games. Blackwood was excellent in his last outing, despite a 3-2 losing effort in a shootout to the Dallas Stars, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%). The Sharks are one of three teams without a win this season (0-2-2) and enter Friday's contest as significant +317 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets, one of three clubs without a loss this season (3-0-0).

With William Eklund nursing an upper-body injury, Smith will draw into the lawn for his first game of the season. The 26-year-old Smith has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 155 career games and is in his first season with the Sharks organization.

Gushchin has not played since the opening night of the season but will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Friday as Will Smith will be a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Gushchin has four points (2G / 2A) in seven career NHL games..

As part of pre-planned play-management for the 19-year-old rookie, Smith will have the night off on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice through his first four NHL games this season, with zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury and was considered questionable for tonight's game. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Through three games this season, the Sharks have alternated between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks when Vanecek occupies the crease. Despite a 2-0 losing effort, Vanecek was terrific in his only start this season, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks enter action on Thursday as +163 road underdogs against a Blackhawks club that has only scored nine times in their first four games (1-2-1).