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San Jose Sharks News
Vitek Vanecek is the likely start Thursday vs. Pittsburgh.

Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will likely return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Vitek Vanecek
Andrew Poturalski has been recalled from Coachella Valley (AHL).

Poturalski had two goals, seven points and two PIMs in 10 games played with Coachella Valley (AHL) to start the season and has been recalled to Seattle for the first time Tuesday. The 29-year-old forward has appeared in four NHL games since he made his debut in 2016-17 with Carolina, and has no goals, two assists and a -4 plus/minus.

Andrew Poturalski
Danil Gushchin will make his season debut Tuesday vs. Florida.

Gushchin, the 76th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, will make his season debut on Tuesday. He played his first two NHL games last season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) with the Sharks. This season with the Barracuda, Gushchin has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 11 games.

Danil Gushchin
Mackenzie Blackwood will start Tuesday vs. Florida.

Blackwood will start for the 11th time in 16 games for the Sharks against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Sharks' struggles as the league-worst offence (1.20 GF / GP) and league-worst defence (4.40 GA / GP) have been well documented this season, but nearly as astonishing has been the play of Blackwood between the pipes. Despite the Sharks' inability to compete in most games, Blackwood has recorded a quality start in 60% of his games. His .900 SV% speaks volumes to his level of play this season but hopes for a win remain low as the Sharks are +241 home underdogs on Tuesday.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Ty Dellandrea will draw back into the Stars' lineup Tuesday vs. Arizona.

Dellandrea has been a healthy scratch for the Stars' previous three games but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. Arizona as he replaces Sam Steel. The 23-year-old centre has struggled out of the gate this season, with his one assist, nine SOG, two PIMs and -1 plus/minus in nine games played. He returns to his role on line four.

Ty Dellandrea
Danil Gushchin has been recalled from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

Gushchin was the 76th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first two NHL games last season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) with the Sharks. This season with the Barracuda, Gushchin has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 11 games. In a corresponding move, Oskar Lindblom was reassigned to the AHL.

Danil Gushchin
Blackwood will start in Anaheim on Sunday.

Blackwood will look to keep things rolling on Sunday with a third straight victory after almost single handedly willing the Sharks to their first two wins of the season. Blackwood allowed just three goals on 80 shots (.963 SV%) across a pair of victories over the Flyers and Oilers. Despite the hot streak, the 27-year-old netminder remains a risky start in Anaheim on Sunday, but the high amount of shots he's destined to face does leave him with a lot of upside in points leagues and other fantasy formats that reward saves. The Sharks are giving up an astounding 38 shots per game on the season.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Lindblom will make his season debut against the Golden Knights on Friday.

Lindblom will finally get the chance to make his season debut in place of Anthony Duclair, who will miss Friday's game with an undisclosed injury. Lindblom was limited to six goals and nine assists across 73 games with the Sharks last season. He'll begin Friday's game skating alongside Nico Sturm and Kevin Labanc on the Sharks' third line.

Oskar Lindblom
Vanecek will start Friday's game against the Capitals.

Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots on Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche but will look to rebound on Friday. Before that most recent loss, Vanecek had won four consecutive games, saving 108 of 120 shots faced (.900 SV%). Lindy Ruff's high-tempo offensive structure isn't particularly conducive to low-scoring affairs, but Vanecek should continue to garner a healthy amount of victories throughout the season. On Friday, the Devils are -170 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.00 GF / GP).

Vitek Vanecek
Vitek Vanecek is in the starter's crease at the Devils' morning skate.

Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots on Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche but will look to rebound as the likely starter on Friday. Before that most recent loss, Vanecek had won four consecutive games, saving 108 of 120 shots faced (.900 SV%). Lindy Ruff's high-tempo offensive structure isn't particularly conducive to low-scoring affairs, but Vanecek should continue to garner a healthy amount of victories throughout the season. On Friday, the Devils are -170 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.00 GF / GP).

Vitek Vanecek
Blackwood will start against the Oilers on Thursday.

Blackwood was the driving force behind the Sharks' first victory of the season on Tuesday, saving 38 of 39 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers. Victory aside, the Sharks are still +288 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that will be desperate to shake out of their funk. After leading the league in offence a season ago (3.96 GF / GP), the Oilers rank 26th in the league (2.64 GF / GP) and, despite their well-documented struggles (2-8-1), remain a threat every night that Connor McDavid takes the ice.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Mackenzie Blackwood was the first goalie off the ice at the Sharks' morning skate.

Blackwood was the driving force behind the Sharks' first victory of the season on Tuesday, saving 38 of 39 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers. Victory aside, the Sharks are still +288 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that will be desperate to shake out of their funk. After leading the league in offence a season ago (3.96 GF / GP), the Oilers rank 26th in the league (2.64 GF / GP) and, despite their well-documented struggles (2-8-1), remain a threat every night that Connor McDavid takes the ice.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Vanecek will start in Colorado on Tuesday.

Vanecek has seemingly secured the Devils' starting gig as he will be the starter for the fifth time in their last six games. Vanecek has been far from perfect but has done enough to give the high-scoring Devils (3.91 GF / GP) a chance to win on most nights, posting a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% through eight games (6-2-0). The Devils, without Jack Hughes, are +160 road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be desperate for a victory after being shut out in three of their last four contests (1-3-0).

Vitek Vanecek
Mackenzie Blackwood will start Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Blackwood will start on Tuesday and attempt to stop the bleeding for the Sharks, who have been dreadfully outscored 20-3 over their past two contests (0-2-0). Putting it lightly, the Sharks have been abysmal this season, ranking dead last offensively (1.09 GF / GP) and defensively (4.91 GA / GP). Given the team's horrendous start, Blackwood's .879 SV% through eight games (0-6-1) is somewhat admirable, but until the Sharks prove they can compete with other teams, there is very little optimism for whichever goaltender mans their crease.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Blackwood will likely start on Tuesday and attempt to stop the bleeding for the Sharks, who have been dreadfully outscored 20-3 over their past two contests (0-2-0). Putting it lightly, the Sharks have been abysmal this season, ranking dead last offensively (1.09 GF / GP) and defensively (4.91 GA / GP). Given the team's horrendous start, Blackwood's .879 SV% through eight games (0-6-1) is somewhat admirable, but until the Sharks prove they can compete with other teams, there is very little optimism for whichever goaltender mans their crease.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Vitek Vanecek was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's morning skate.

Vanecek has seemingly secured the Devils' starting gig as he appears to be the starter for the fifth time in their last six games. Vanecek has been far from perfect but has done enough to give the high-scoring Devils (3.91 GF / GP) a chance to win on most nights, posting a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% through eight games (6-2-0). The Devils, without Jack Hughes, are +160 road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be desperate for a victory after being shut out in three of their last four contests (1-3-0).

Vitek Vanecek