Game Preview/Lines #24: Hertl Will Play, Meier “Probable”, Balcers “Nicked Up”

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks have a bunch of question marks going into tonight.

Will Tomas Hertl play? Bob Boughner says “yes.” Will Timo Meier play?  Boughner said “very probable.” Will Rudolfs Balcers play?

Wait, Balcers is hurt?

As San Jose Hockey Now reported yesterday, it was peculiar that Balcers was the only San Jose Sharks player given a maintenance day in an otherwise full practice:

I’m on the Road Again, New Sharks Lines in Anaheim?

Now we know why. Boughner said Balcers was “a little nicked up, lower-body”.

Balcers getting some work in with Korenar. In the background, you can hear Nabokov pic.twitter.com/G0j3fsy9XP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 12, 2021

Balcers practiced for about 25 minutes, on his own aside from Korenar and/or coach. Did a lot of work attacking from the corner to the front — looked good to me, but what do I know? But he is a real game-time decision — he wouldn't have been out here, testing it out, if not

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 12, 2021

In his place, Fredrik Handemark might draw in:

Handemark says biggest adjustment to North American hockey was the smaller rink, where you need to make faster decisions and move your feet quicker. Says he feels more prepared to play in the NHL than he did when he made his debut versus St. Louis

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 12, 2021

Speaking of questions, Doug Wilson addressed the media today in a wide-ranging chat.

San Jose Sharks (9-11-3)

Projected lines for today. Balcers is still a possibility for the #SJSharks. Timo and Hertl are expected to return tonight. pic.twitter.com/cF8shadob4

— Locked on Erik Karlsson (@LockedOnSharks) March 12, 2021

Anaheim Ducks (8-13-6)

These are Anaheim’s lines from their last game, a 5-1 loss to Los Angeles:

Here's who we fly with tonight. #FlyTogether | @7UP pic.twitter.com/SsXCCd05RL

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 11, 2021

Where to Watch

Puck drop is 7 PM PT at Honda Center. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area, Prime Ticket, or NHL.tv.

Morning Skate

Wilson on Goaltending, Karlsson, Sharks Now in “Reset” Mode | SJHN+

SPORTLOGiQ Pre-Game Stat of the Night

The San Jose Sharks are strong in this facet of the power play: They’re second in the NHL in PP Screened Shots on Net, trailing only Toronto. While it hasn’t led to many goals – San Jose’s power play is 22^nd in the league right now – that’s a promising micro-stat.