Blue Line Station
Fansided

Battle of the west coast veterans versus the city kids

By Rachel Nones

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks tries to get the puck from Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers at SAP Center on December 12, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks tries to get the puck from Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers at SAP Center on December 12, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Interim head coach Bob Boughner (left) of the San Jose Sharks and assistant coach Mike Ricci watch their team play against the New York Rangers during Boughner’s first game as interim coach at SAP Center on December 12, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Interim head coach Bob Boughner (left) of the San Jose Sharks and assistant coach Mike Ricci watch their team play against the New York Rangers during Boughner’s first game as interim coach at SAP Center on December 12, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

About the Sharks

The San Jose roster has experienced some major changes heading into this East Coast visit. Leading goal scorer Evander Kane (21 goals) finished serving a three game suspension against the New Jersey Devils Thursday night.

The Sharks eventually dropped the game 2-1 despite opening the scoring  and the fact that New Jersey is 27th in the league. Kane will be available for the game tonight, but the club’s Blueline is taking a toll as well.

Brenden Dillon was moved to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday for a pair of draft picks. Beloved defenseman Erik Karlsson is also ruled out with a broken thumb for the rest of the season. Karlsson is a large contributor to offense as well,  currently leading his team with 34 assists.

In terms of pushing the young ones, the coaching staff has been working on transforming Timo Meier’s style of play into a more physical one. Meier currently owns the second spot for most team goals (20) and is third overall for most points (39). The 23-year-old is the top forward with the most points on his team.

The Sharks have also leaned on Brooklyn native Kevin LaBanc, who happens to be a linemate of Meier. Although his future in San Jose is questionable as an arbitration eligible RFA, the 24-year-old is tied for fourth in goal scoring (14) on the team.

Other offensive contributors include center Tomas Hertl who is just trailing behind Meier in goals, but is out for the season after knee surgery. Captain Logan Couture will remain out of the lineup since he fractured his ankle but is getting closer to practicing with his team. The captain was  a large contributor to offense before his exit from the lineup.

The Sharks have one of the lowest goals per game averages (2.6G/GP) in the league and are one of the highest teams to have allowed goals (195 GA) which highlights the struggles with goaltending this year for the Sharks.

Jones has 14 wins in 35 games played while Aaron Dell has 12 wins in 29 games played. It is expected that Dell will get the start in Madison Square Garden.

One big question facing the Sharks is the trade deadline and whether  they will be active in the trade marketplace.  There have been reports that  they are willing to deal veteran forwards Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau with both unrestricted free agents after this season.

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