Game Preview/Lines #54: Meier Knows He Can Be “Way Better”

San Jose Sharks (21-26-6)

Projected lines for the #SJSharks. Couture is OUT with a lower-body injury.

Follow—>https://t.co/wmyWBR90aU pic.twitter.com/o08cjImDg5

— Locked on Karlsson's Apple (@LockedOnSharks) May 7, 2021

Arizona Coyotes (22-26-6)

Here is the other roster movement that I reported previously was likely coming. I think we will see both Jan Jeník & Victor Söderström in the lineup in San Jose this weekend. https://t.co/THXtGxOYna

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) May 7, 2021

This is how the Coyotes lined up in their last game, a 4-2 loss to the Kings that eliminated them from the post-season:

Coyotes line rushes (5/5 vs. LAK)

LINES
Bunting – Larsson – Garland
Crouse – Dvorak – Fischer
Keller – Brassard – Kessel
Hunt – Pederson – Hayden

PAIRS
Chychrun – Goligoski
OEL – Lyubushkin
Oesterle – Hjalmarsson

GOALIES
Hill
Kuemper#Yotes

— Alex Kinkopf (@AEKinkopf) May 6, 2021

Lawson Crouse suffered a lower-body injury, per the Coyotes, and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. He left tonight's game midway through the third period. #Yotes

— Alex Kinkopf (@AEKinkopf) May 6, 2021

Where to Watch

Puck drop is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, Bally Sports Arizona Plus, ESPN+, or NHL.tv.

Morning Skate

Timo Meier knows how disappointing his season has been.

“I know I have to be better,” Meier admitted. “I expect myself to be way better.”

Meier has scored just 10 goals this year, just a 16-goal pace over an 82-game season. That’s a far cry from his breakout 2018-19 campaign, when he became just the fourth 22-or-younger player in San Jose Sharks history to score 30 or more goals in a season.

The good news? Meier is just 24 and he’s still showing flashes of what he can be. There’s this game from a month ago:

Quick Thoughts: Meier Reminds Us How Good He Can Be

There’s this clip from Wednesday:

What’s striking here? Meier (28) skates into three Avs on entry, using his body to protect the puck. He initiates contact on Tyson Jost (17), and by drawing Colorado’s attention east-west, opens up the middle lane for an encroaching Brent Burns (88). Then, behind the net, he backs into Devon Toews (7), using that momentum to separate himself for a wraparound. Finally, he finds a soft spot for a deflection on the Mario Ferraro (38) point shot.

The key here? Initiating contact.

“We want him with and without the puck to use his body. So when he doesn’t have the puck, we want Timo to be hard to play against, a physical guy that gets in on the forecheck, that bangs bodies,” Boughner said. “The other part of his game is down low, that I think there’s another level to that. Holding onto pucks more, cutting back, getting off the wall, and using his body and the back of net, those kinds of things.

“Tommy Hertl is a good example. It’s a skill and Tommy is one of the best we have at holding onto the puck, put that big body out and buy himself time and cut back and create offense that way. That’s something we’re working on with Timo because he’s definitely a big frame and he’s got all the tools.”

Boughner revealed that the San Jose Sharks coaching staff has been pulling tape from Meier’s breakout 2018-19 to remind the Swiss winger who he can be: “We pulled that up a couple weeks ago when we were sitting and looking at Timo’s game and working on it.

“He was using his feet. He was using his speed. He found himself in situations to score more. That’s something we’re working on everyday with him.”

Boughner says they might shut down Couture for season — but won't require surgery

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 7, 2021

Meier says he will play for Switzerland in the World Championships

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 7, 2021

Meier also added that Nico Hischier will be joining him on Team Switzerland at the World Championships

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 7, 2021

Knyzhov says Team Russia has asked him to play in the World Championships — and he'll go

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 7, 2021

Around the NHL

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday!

Gotta little misty eyed watching this 🥺 You deserve this. To be recognized as an amazing Women, and Mother to me & Iain. I am so grateful to be your son…love you so much @kimberlyg65 Can’t wait to come home and see you again 💗 https://t.co/aiITPv4fUm

— Kurtis Gabriel (@kurtisgabriel) May 7, 2021

Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov are on track to return for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s title defense. Elsewhere…

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After Some Prodding From Media, Jake DeBrusk Opens Up

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NYHN Daily: Islanders Struggling, Zajac Can Still Help Team & More

Vegas Golden Knights Down Minnesota Wild 3-2 in Overtime