Granlund was a late scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups, and he will miss a second straight game. Macklin Celebrini centered the Sharks first line in his place. The 32-year-old Granlund has been excellent since joining the Sharks last season, scoring 84 points (21G / 63A) in 92 combined games.
With Yaroslav Askarov sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), the Sharks crease return to Blackwood. The 27-year-old Blackwood is having a fine season between the pipes for a defensively-prone Sharks club, posting a 3.07 GAA and .907 SV% in 14 games (4-7-3). That said, the Sharks enter Wednesday's contest as +181 home underdogs against an Ottawa Senators squad that snapped a five-game losing skid in their previous game, a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames.
Klim Kostin will draw back into the lineup for the Sharks on Wednesday, resulting in Smith being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Smith has been limited to only six games this season, averaging 6:17 time-on-ice.
Givani Smith will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Kostin to re-enter the lineup after a one-game absence. The 25-year-old Kostin is averaging 8:47 time-on-ice and has zero points in 12 games this season.
Thompson has been effective for the Sharks this season but hasn't been a consistent fixture in their lineup. The 22-year-old Thompson is averaging 15:56 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 13 games with the Sharks this season.
Askarov was tremendous in a two-game stint with the Sharks but has been sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) due to Vitek Vanecek returning from injury. The 22-year-old Askarov posted a 1.96 GAA and .927 SV% in two games (1-0-1).
Smith re-enters the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game against the Sabres. Klim Kostin will sit in his place.
Kostin will take a seat when the Sharks host the Kings on Monday. Givani Smith will draw into the lineup in his place.
Sturm has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he took part in Sunday's practice and will return vs. the Kings on Monday. Sturm has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 18 games this season.
Granlund was a late scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Macklin Celebrini will centre the Sharks first line in his place.
The 22-year-old netminder will make his second start of the season when the Sharks host the Kings on Monday. Askarov was phenomenal in his Sharks debut, stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faced in an eventual 3-2 shootout loss to the Blues. He'll have to be sharp again on Monday as the Sharks enter action as +200 home underdogs to the Kings.
Thompson has been effective for the Sharks this season but has been sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). The 22-year-old Thompson was averaging 15:56 time-on-ice and had five points (2G / 3A) in 13 games with the Sharks this season.
Vlasic has missed all 23 games to start the season due to a back injury but appears to be nearing his return to the lineup. The 37-year-old stay-at-home defenseman is entering his 19th NHL season (all with San Jose) after putting up six goals, 12 points and a -27 plus/minus in 57 games played in 2023-24.
Thrun has missed the last two games but will draw back into the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Thrun has been a regular in the lineup this season, averaging 16:44 time-on-ice and scoring six points (0G / 6A) in 20 games.
Sturm has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he took part in Sunday's practice and will be a game-time decision vs. the Kings on Monday. Sturm has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 18 games this season.
