San Jose Sharks (0-1-2, 2 pts) at Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-1, 3 pts)
Venue: United Center
Date: Thursday, October 17
Time: 7:30 pm CT / 5:30 pm PT
TV: ESPN+ / NBCS / CHSN
Radio:
San Jose – Sharks Audio Network
Chicago – WGN Radio 720 AM
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
San Jose +1.5
Chicago -1.5
O/U 6
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San Jose Sharks Notes:
San Jose is still searching for their first win of the season after falling 3-2 in a shootout to the undefeated Dallas Stars. San Jose rookie Macklin Celebrini will miss the game against the Blackhawks and fellow number 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard, but there is optimism that Celebrini could be available this weekend.
Chicago Blackhawks Notes:
The Blackhawks concluded their season-opening 4-game road trip with a 3-1 loss Tuesday night in Calgary. Chicago had chances to break the 1-1 tie but Dustin Wolf was up to the challenge in the Calgary net. Chicago finished the road trip 1-2-1 and will finally return to Chicago for their home opener. The Blackhawks are 2-3 in their last 5 home openers with both wins against the Detroit Red Wings. The most recent win was a 4-3 OT win in the 2022-23 season.
San Jose Sharks Projected Lineup: (subject to change)
Eklund-Granlund-Toffoli
Kostin-Wennberg-Zetterlund
Goodrow-W. Smith-Kunin
Grundstrom-Sturm-Dellandrea
Walman-Ceci
Ferraro-Rutta
Thrun-Benning
Blackwood
Vanecek
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Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lineup: (subject to change)
Foligno-Bedard-Teravainen
Hall-Kurashev-Bertuzzi
Mikheyev-Dickinson-Anderson
Maroon-Athanasiou-Smith
Martinez-Jones
Vlasic-Brodie
Allan-Murphy
Soderblom
Mrazek
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Players To Watch:
San Jose – Sharks center Will Smith has been “frustrated” in the early going of his rookie season in the NHL. The former Boston College center is without a point in three games so far for San Jose. Smith knows he needs to be better in all areas, “I think he’s overthinking his game at times, and he’s just got to go out and play. He’s obviously super-skilled,” said coach Ryan Warsofsky.
Chicago – Aside from the top line of Nick Foligno, Connor Bedard, and Teuvo Teravainen, the Blackhawks haven’t gotten much production from their forward group. The Blackhawks need Taylor Hall and new addition Tyler Bertuzzi to step up and help carry some of the offensive load.
Injury Report:
San Jose –
C Logan Couture – LTIR – Month To Month
RW Givani Smith – Day to Day – Est. return October 17
C Thomas Bordeleau – IR – Est. return October 22
C Macklin Celebrini – IR – Est. return October 20
LW William Eklund- Game-Time Decision
Chicago –
D Wyatt Kaiser – IR – Est. return October 17
D Artyom Levshunov – IR (Non-Roster) – Est. return October 22
G Laurent Brossoit – IR (Non-Roster) – Est. return October 22
Next game
San Jose – October 18 at Winnipeg
Chicago – October 19 vs. Buffalo
