Knyzhov’s debut possible today
The San Jose Sharks are in Winnipeg this afternoon to take on the Jets in the first West Side Story showdown of the season. The Jets are in a battle for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Winnipeg was a buyer at the NHL trade deadline, adding Nino Niederreiter and former San Jose Shark Vladislav Namestnikov.
This is the first of teams’ three meetings this season.
We could see Nikolai Knyzhov suit up for the Sharks for the first time this season. Knyzhov has battled injury and only played 12 games for the Barracuda in the 2022-23 campaign. The 24-year-old defenseman was recalled after Radim Simek left Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals and did not return. Simek is not on the trip. Nick Cicek was also recalled.
Sheng Peng reports that while Cicek is sure to be on the ice, Knyzhov is a game time decision.
Reimer starts, no changes up front, but both Cicek AND Knyzhov may play tonight. Simek is not traveling, and there’s another game-time decision on defense
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 6, 2023
San Jose Sharks
STATS
Record: 18-33-12
Streak: L5
Goals Leader: Logan Couture (21 G, 30 A)
Assists Leader: Erik Karlsson (19 G, 61 A)
Power Play: 18.5%
Penalty Kill: 82.8%
Goals For/60: 2.94
Goals Against/60: 3.71
LINES
(Per NHL.com)
Fabian Zetterlund – Tomas Hertl – William Eklund
Andreas Johnsson – Logan Couture – Alexander Barabanov
Noah Gregor – Nico Sturm – Evgeny Svechnikov
Kevin Labanc – Steven Lorentz – Oskar Lindblom
Nick Cicek – Erik Karlsson
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Matt Benning
Mario Ferraro – Jacob MacDonald
James Reimer
Kaapo Kahkonen
Expected Scratches: Nikolai Knyzhov
Injured Reserve: Luke Kunin (knee), Markus Nutivaara (lower body), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), Radim Simek (upper body)
Winnipeg Jets
STATS
Record: 36-25-2
Streak: W1
Goals Leader: Mark Scheifele (36 G, 21 A)
Assists Leader: Josh Morrissey (15 G, 51 A)
Power Play: 21.6%
Penalty Kill: 83.3%
Goals For/60: 3.11
Goals Against/60: 2.78
LINES
(Per NHL.com)
Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Nino Niederreiter
Nikolaj Ehlers — Pierre-Luc Dubois — Blake Wheeler
Morgan Barron — Adam Lowry — Vladislav Namestnikov
Saku Maenalanen — Kevin Stenlund — Mason Appleton
Josh Morrissey — Neal Pionk
Brenden Dillon — Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg — Nate Schmidt
David Rittich
Connor Hellebuyck
Expected Scratches: Sam Gagner, Karson Kuhlman, Logan Stanley, David Gustafsson, Kyle Capobianco
Injured Reserve: Cole Perfetti (upper body)
How to watch
Today’s game will be broadcast regionally on NBCSCA. Streaming is available with a subscription to ESPN+ (blackout restrictions may apply). The radio call will be streamed through the Sharks Audio Network. Puck drop is 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET at Canada Life Center in Winnipeg.
In Winnipeg, you can watch on SportsNet 1.
Check back then to follow along with all of the play-by-play action in the comment section below!