San Jose Sharks
Preview/Lines #68: Will Sharks Fans Cheer for…Blue Jackets Tonight?

The San Jose Sharks may have been able to avoid most of the Connor Bedard noise so far – but maybe not tonight.
Tonight, the Sharks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets into SAP Center, in a rare late-season match-up of the second-worst and worst teams in the NHL.
What’s at stake? The best odds for likely first-overall pick Connor Bedard in the 2023 Draft, which goes to the worst team in the NHL. For what it’s worth, it’s just a 25.5 percent chance for the No. 1 pick.
The second-worst Sharks are just three points ahead of the NHL-worst Blue Jackets right now.
So will San Jose fans actually be cheering for Columbus goals tonight? We’ve been debating that in the media room all week.
Anyway, for the Sharks on the ice, the mission is clear.
“It’s our job to show up and play hockey and play hard,” captain Logan Couture stated.
David Quinn concurred, “We’re gonna play our asses off.”
Both, of course, are aware of the possible ramifications of tonight. But…
“It’s not going to do any good if you listen to what other people say,” Couture said.
However, they won’t be able to miss Sharks fans cheering for the visiting team at home.
We’ll see if it happens. There, of course, is a very famous precedent for this.
San Jose Sharks (19-36-12)
Projected lines for the #SJSharks as they host #CBJ#BedardBowl pic.twitter.com/kCVoVIMEO5
— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) March 14, 2023
Columbus Blue Jackets (20-38-7)
What's your favorite song about sharks?#CBJ https://t.co/ly2b1OZM7y
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 14, 2023
Where to Watch
The San Jose Sharks will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 PM PST at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.
Call me a homer but I will never cheer for our team to lose. It goes against all I am.
I will accept us being the worst team if that’s what happens but I won’t hope for it.
I can completely understand that. However my rebuttal as an original STH from the Cow Palace days, is that sometimes life presents situations that the harder I work the worse off I get and sometime it is better to to take a step back in order to go forward in the future. This year’s version of the Sharks are best served by looking to the future and unfortunately the best way this years team serves the future is to fail more in the present. It sucks to say to Tank hard for Bedard & Lose silly for Fantilli but if… Read more »
I’m not sure if I’m a fantilli believer. Seems like he’ll be good but I can remember a ton of guys before in the draft that have a similar profile. He does have some size which will be helpful. Idk I’m not even sure if carlsson will be a first liner, it’s really not clear on what these guys will become. If I were to guess, I’d say michkov will probably be the second best player in the top 4. I am however a huge fan of carlsson, I like the size speed skill combo.
I’ve been having a hard time finding another team to watch as well. I can’t get behind any other team I love San Jose and the sharks…saw we got outshot 13-0 after the barabonov goal. I don’t even notice any of the new guys on our team and I try very hard to look for them. I wonder what mike grier is thinking when he watches the games…probably thinks we need to trade for another 3rd liner…it’s been exhausting having him as a gm. I’m ready for them to turn the page already, and if plattners smart, and he’s owned… Read more »
We want Bedard, or Fantilli, or Mitchkov(tough to wait that long but…), or Carlson. But please don’t finish above 31st.
TANK AT THE TANK!!!!! The season is lost, there is no reason to win anymore so honestly just hope people stay healthy, and at least learn some defensive structure because sweet jesus we’re bad lol
Kappo isn’t a very good goalie. I’m hoping the kid finds a strong game during the summer.
of course loser points are in play.