Line Combinations: Red Wings vs Sharks

On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings will try to carry the momentum from Thursday's 2-1 win over the winless Philadelphia Flyers into a matchup with a young San Jose Sharks squad led by superstar Macklin Celebrini.

Defense has been the Red Wings' calling card early this season, as their 2.86 goals against per game ranks inside the NHL's top 12.

Meanwhile, the offense has struggled, managing only ten goals through the first five games but has shown signs of life, with Detroit scoring six goals over their last two outings.

San Jose came close to a playoff berth last season largely thanks to Celebrini's one-man show, and the Sharks used the offseason to give him support.

On the back end, they added Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse. Up front, they brought in second overall pick Ivar Stenberg and Mason Marchment, and they re-signed impact depth forward Kiefer Sherwood to an extension.

So far, though, the additions haven't paid immediate dividends as the Sharks have lost three of their last five, and all four of their wins this season have come in extra time.

Detroit does hold a slight historical edge in this matchup, having won five of the last eight meetings versus San Jose, including the two most recent ones heading into Saturday.

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*subject to change*

DeBrincant - Finnie - Brandsegg-Nygard

Danielson - Larkin - Arvidsson

Rasmussen - Copp - Raymond

Dries - Kolesar

Chiarot - Seider

Wallinder - Faulk

Al. Johansson - An. Johansson

Sandin-Pellikka

Tarasov

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