Pregame Preview #54: Sharks Host Blue Jackets; Jackets Playing First Game Since GM Firing
The San Jose Sharks begin a five-game homestand against a fellow basement-dwelling team in the Columbus Blue Jackets.
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports - Pregame Preview #54: Sharks Host Blue Jackets; Jackets Playing First Game Since GM FiringThe San Jose Sharks (15-33-5) begin a five-game homestand against a fellow basement-dwelling team in the Columbus Blue Jackets (16-26-10).
The Sharks are coming off one of their best victories of the season with a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Tonight also marks the debut of the new Cali Fin Jersey.
The Blue Jackets will play their first game since firing their GM, Jarmo Kekalainen.
The Blue Jackets were expected to take somewhat of a step forward this season by adding Adam Fantili and pairing him with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine.
"It's funny you look at them, and they've lost ten games in overtime and shootouts. They've lost in funny ways," Sharks head coach David Quinn said. "You look at their record, and it easily could have seven or eight more wins, Which puts the whole season in a different light."
The injured players of Givani Smith and Henry Thrun won't return tonight. Kyle Burroughs will be a healthy scratch for Nikita Okhotiuk, and Kevin Labanc will enter the lineup for Jacob MacDonald. Kaapo Kahkonen was the first goalie off the ice, so he should start in goal.
Sharks projected line combinations:
Zetterlund-Granlund-Duclair
Barabanov-Eklund-Kunin
Labanc-Sturm-Zadina
Bailey-Carpenter-Hoffman
Ferraro-Rutta
Vlasic-Emberson
Okhotiuk-Addison
Kahkonen
Blackwood
Puck drop is at 7:30 PST and can be seen on NBC Sports California or the Sharks Audio Network.
Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
- Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller
