Smith did not play on Saturday and will miss at least two more games after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 19-year-old Smith, in his first NHL season, had zero points in his first eight games but has scored 11 points (5G / 6A) in 16 games since.
With yesterday's trade sending Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche and Alexandar Georgiev not ready to suit up for the Sharks, Vanecek will be in the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has struggled between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting an ugly 3.89 GAA and .883 SV% in 12 appearances (3-6-1). He has allowed 10 goals on 43 shots (.767 SV%) across his last two games (1-1-0). The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as humungous +410 road underdogs against the Hurricanes.
With yesterday's trade sending Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche and Alexandar Georgiev not ready to suit up for the Sharks, Vanecek will likely be in the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has struggled between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting an ugly 3.89 GAA and .883 SV% in 12 appearances (3-6-1). He has allowed 10 goals on 43 shots (.767 SV%) across his last two games (1-1-0). The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as humungous +410 road underdogs against the Hurricanes.
Kostin was hit by a shot at morning skate on Tuesday and did not return. The 25-year-old Kostin is averaging 9:57 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 18 games this season.
In his first season with the Avalanche, Kovalenko has shown glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment has likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 28 games, Kovalenko is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has eight points (4G / 4A). The 25-year-old Kovalenko will likely get an opportunity for better deployment in his new home with the Sharks.
Colorado's goaltending troubles have been well-documented this season, highlighted by Georgiev's ugly 3.38 GAA and .874 SV% in 18 appearances (8-7-0). As a result, Georgiev has been traded, along with Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick, to the San Jose Sharks in return for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Georgiev will likely have the opportunity to reestablish himself as a reliable starter in San Jose. That said, given San Jose's sluggish defense, Georgiev will likely fall out of fantasy hockey relevance.
The Sharks, riding a three-game winning streak, will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-5 win over the Seattle Kraken, and has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV% through 11 appearances this season (3-5-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +221 road underdogs against a Lightning team without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed).
Jack Thompson will draw into the Sharks' lineup on Thursday, resulting in Thrun being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Thrun is averaging 16:16 time-on-ice and has eight points (0G / 8A) in 25 games.
Henry Thrun will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Thompson to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old Thompson has played a career-high 13 games, and has five points (2G / 3A) while averaging 15:5 time-on-ice.
The Sharks, riding a three-game winning streak, will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-5 win over the Seattle Kraken, and has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV% through 11 appearances this season (3-5-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +221 road underdogs against a Lightning team without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed).
Colorado has lost two straight and will turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the fourth consecutive game. The 28-year-old Georgiev has an ugly 3.31 GAA and .875 SV% in 16 appearances this season (7-7-0). That said, he has been better lately, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last seven (5-2-0), posting a .897 SV%. Colorado enters the action on Tuesday as -150 road favorites against a Buffalo Sabres club struggling to score, being shut out in two of their last three games (0-2-1).
Ethan Cardwell will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Grundstrom to play his first game since November 27th. The 27-year-old Grundstrom is averaging 9:06 time-on-ice, scoring four points (0G / 4A) in 22 games.
