The Canucks have outscored the Sharks 13-2 in their previous two meetings this season.
For the third time this month, the Vancouver Canucks (14-6-1) will face off against the San Jose Sharks (3-15-2). Vancouver is a perfect 2-0 so far this season against San Jose and will be looking to push their current win streak to 12. The last time the Sharks beat the Canucks was December 14, 2019, when Evander Kane scored an empty net game-winner in front of a packed SAP Center in San Jose.
With Thatcher Demko playing last night, Vancouver is expected to turn to Casey DeSmith in net. The Canucks backup is 2-3 versus the Sharks in his career with a 3.45 GAA and a .898 SV%. As for San Jose, they are expected to go with Kaapo Kähkönen after Mackenzie Blackwood played last night. The Finnish goaltender is 0-2-1 versus Vancouver, with a 5.43 GAA and a .823 SV%.
Tonight could also be a historic night for Quinn Hughes as he could tie the record for longest point streak by a defenceman in Canucks history. Currently, at ten games, the record is held by Dennis Kearns, Jiri Bubla and Filip Hronek, who all recorded 11-game point streaks. Vancouver's captain has 18 points in 13 career games versus San Jose, so do not be surprised if he can tie the record.
Players to Watch
Nils Höglander
What happens with Nils Höglander this game will be interesting. The last time these two teams faced off, he slew-footed Kevin Labanc, which resulted in a game misconduct and a fine from the NHL. While Labanc did not return to the game, he has not played since. The question is, will the Sharks feel the need to go after Höglander as some form of frontier justice regarding the hit?
Mike Hoffman
With goals in four of his last five games, Mike Hoffman is starting to heat up for the Sharks. The winger who is set to play game number 699 tonight has been moved up to the top line and has been one of the sources of offence for San Jose over the past few games. Will he be able to make it a three-game goal streak, or will the Canucks be able to hold him off the scoresheet as they did five days ago?
Projected Lineup
Lafferty-Pettersson-Mikheyev
Beauvillier-Miller-Boeser
Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Di Giuseppe-Aman-Höglander
Hughes-Hronek
Friedman-Myers
Cole-Julsen
DeSmith
Demko
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 pm PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650