The San Jose Sharks are still looking for their first win as they visit the Chicago Blackhawks.
The San Jose Sharks are still looking for their first win as they visit the Chicago Blackhawks.
The game will be without the Sharks' top pick in a much-anticipated matchup against 2023 No. 1 pick Connor Bedard and 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini. Luckily for hockey fans, these two teams are scheduled to play each other in San Jose on Oct. 31. There is no guarantee that Celebrini will be back from his lower-body injury.
San Jose will give Vitek Vanecek his second start of the season after a terrific first game in which he stopped 28 shots against the Anaheim Ducks. William Eklund will be a game-time decision due to an upper-body injury.
Bedard is off to a hot start this season, with one goal and four assists in four games. The center has displayed his elite shot and dynamic offensive skill in just a short time frame.
The Sharks defense has been strong to start the season despite not winning a game yet. To stop Bedard, that trend needs to continue.
Sharks projected line combinations without Eklund:
Gushchin-Granlund-Toffoli
Kostin-Wennberg-Zetterlund
Goodrow-W. Smith-Kunin
Grundstrom-Sturm-Dellandrea
Walman-Ceci
Ferraro-Rutta
Thrun-Benning
Vanecek
Blackwood
Danil Gushchin is projected to replace Eklund in the lineup if the winger cannot play.
Keys to victory:
1. Continue strong defense
2. If Eklund doesn't play, this is Will Smith's best chance to show he can overcome his slow start.
3. Goaltending continues to play as the team's best player
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