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Sharks Game Day: Rematch on the Road; No, EK is not playing |
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The San Jose Sharks have had a pretty good couple of weeks, to say the least. With Erik Karlsson finally, in camp, it's all about the product on the ice now.
The teal and black opened the pre-season with a 4-1 home win against the Anaheim Ducks. Several young Sharks shined in the victory. Ivan Chekhovich scored twice, Marcus Sorensen looked fast and focused, while Rourke Chartier and Barclay Goodrow each scored a goal.
Quick hits from that game:
- Sorensen is trying to show the coaching staff that he is ready to stay with the big club for good. The 26-year-old scored five goals and collected two assists in 32 games with San Jose last season. HE was never consistent enough to stay in the NHL. He bounced around between the Barracuda and the Sharks for most of the season. The Sharks could really use some of his speed and skill on a full-time basis. They will need as much as they can get if they have any real aspirations of wrestling the division away from Vegas.
- 19-year-old Ivan Chekhovich turned a few heads. Head coach Pete Deboer spoke very highly of the Sharks' seventh-round pick in 2017. Chekhovich had three points (2g 1a) and had a team-high six shots on goal. He doesn't really have a shot to make the roster but he's another nice piece in the pipeline. Keep an eye on this kid.
- Barclay Goodrow played on a line with Chekhovich and he too put together a very solid night on the score sheet with a goal and an assist. A healthy Goodrow is another big plus for San Jose. He showed flashes last season, but injuries limited him to 47 games. Despite that, he still managed 14 points (7g 7a). If the 25-year-old stays healthy this season, he could have one of those so-called "breakout" seasons.
As for tonight's game in Anaheim:
- The Ducks play their first home game of the pre-season, while the Sharks get their first crack at a hostile crowd.
Expect more of the same from San Jose - Youngsters getting a chance to make a second first impression, while the few regulars iron out the summer kinks. The Sharks power play was held off the scoresheet in the first game. Expect them to focus on the fundamentals in hopes of putting a few past the Anaheim netminder.
Tonight's rosters:
Anaheim: Looks like the Ducks made wholesale changes with notables like Adam Henrique, Rikard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm, Ondrej Kase, and Corey Perry drawing in.
San Jose: A few tweaks for the Sharks. Timo Meier will play his first game and apparently, Aaron Dell is expected to play the entire game. Sadly, no Erik Karlsson yet.
See you there,
Steve
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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