For the second time in eight games to start the season, Smith will serve as a healthy scratch as a means of easing him into his first NHL season. The 2023 fourth-overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft has zero points and a -4 plus/minus through his first six games.

Mukhamadullin had yet to appear for San Jose this season and will head back to the Barracuda (AHL) on Tuesday to get consistent playing time. The 22-year-old appeared in three games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up an assist, five SOG and four PIMs.

Bordeleau had yet to appear for San Jose due to a lower-body injury and has been assigned to the Barracuda (AHL) to get up to game speed. The 22-year-old centre appeared in 27 games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up six goals, 11 points, 18 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus.

Despite a surprising 0-4-0 start to the season, the Avalanche, one of three teams without a win this season, will turn to Georgiev in the crease for the fifth straight game to start the season. Georgiev had a rough 2023-24 campaign, posting a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5), but the 28-year-old netminder has been abysmal to start the 2024-25 season, showcasing an unsightly 5.79 GAA and .802 SV%. That said, the Avalanche enter Friday's matchup as sizeable -254 home favorites in search of their first win of the season when they host the Anaheim Ducks.

Gushchin has not played since the opening night of the season but will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Friday as Will Smith will be a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Gushchin has four points (2G / 2A) in seven career NHL games..

As part of pre-planned play-management for the 19-year-old rookie, Smith will have the night off on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice through his first four NHL games this season, with zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury and was considered questionable for tonight's game. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Through three games this season, the Sharks have alternated between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks when Vanecek occupies the crease. Despite a 2-0 losing effort, Vanecek was terrific in his only start this season, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks enter action on Thursday as +163 road underdogs against a Blackhawks club that has only scored nine times in their first four games (1-2-1).