Ethan Cardwell and Timothy Liljegren look like they will get an opportunity to play higher up in the San Jose Sharks lineup.

Ethan Cardwell and Timothy Liljegren look like they will get an opportunity to play higher up in the San Jose Sharks lineup.

Liljegren, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 30, might be paired on the bottom with Henry Thrun. Still, based on the practice lines from Nov. 1, the defenseman could quarterback the top powerplay unit against the Vancouver Canucks tonight. This comes even with Jake Walman scoring seven points in his last three games.

The former Maple Leaf has only played one game this season, so his minutes against the Canucks will be something to keep an eye on. Liljegren said he ran the Leafs' top powerplay unit for four games last season during Morgan Rielly's suspension. 

After two strong games, Sharks rookie Ethan Cardwell appears to be getting bumped from the fourth to the second line.

Cardwell's ability to forecheck is something head coach Ryan Warsofsky has been searching for in his lineup.

"Cards gives us some really fresh legs. In the first [two games he played in], he had some good energy. He can skate, get on pucks, he can hunt pucks. I think he can help that line a little bit," Warsofsky said. 

Cardwell led the Barracuda in scoring last season, but that isn't what the head coach is looking for in the NHL.

"He can score. We've seen that in the preseason. We see it in practice at times, but I'm not going to really judge him on scoring," Warsofsky said."I'm going to judge him on his energy [and] his awareness without the puck. If they go in, they go in, but let's see if he can do with and without the puck."

Warsofsky said the lines that were in place during practice might not be what is used against the Canucks, but all indications suggest Cardwell and Liljegren are getting important roles.

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