Preseason Preview/Lines #4: It’s Chrona Time

It’s not the same thing as your regular season NHL debut, but your first NHL pre-season start is still a big deal.

Magnus Chrona told San Jose Hockey Now yesterday that his girlfriend and girlfriend’s mom will be there tonight at SAP Center, as he takes on the Los Angeles Kings. His parents, based in Stockholm, nine hours ahead, will try to get up early.

Chrona, 23, signed with the San Jose Sharks in April after a decorated career with the University of Denver. Chrona led the Pioneers to the 2022 NCAA national championship.

The San Jose Sharks acquired the 6-foot-5 goalie during the 2021 Trade Deadline from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning had selected Chrona in the fifth round of the 2018 Draft.

So far, Chrona has acquitted himself well at the Rookie Faceoff and training camp. At the Rookie Faceoff, Chrona stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 5-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

“He’s been very impressive,” head coach David Quinn said. “Very calm, big.”

That’s exactly what Chrona wants his coach to say, “I play a very calm, safe, and sound game. Try to bring stability on the back-end. Just play calm and try to catch the puck, I guess.”

As for what he’s been working on with director of goaltending Evgeni Nabokov and goaltending coach Thomas Speer during training camp?

“Since I’m a bigger guy, I don’t have to play as far out, trusting my size,” he shared. “Play with patience and just be quick on the feet.”

We’ll see if practice makes perfect tonight in the pre-season.

“Been excited for it, even though it’s a pre-season game, but it’s still something in the books,” Chrona said. “I’m just excited to go out there and just play my game and have some fun.”

San Jose Sharks (1-2-0)

Los Angeles Kings (3-1-1)

Chrona will start tomorrow.

Quinn said this is more or less your line-up. There's hope that Granlund will be ready to center Eklund/Kunin.

On defense, I saw Mukhamadullin, Ferraro, Vlasic, Benning, Rutta & Knyzhov in this group, so expect them to play https://t.co/e1o1yUS04I

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 29, 2023

Granlund will sit again, but Bordeleau will center Eklund and Kunin tonight

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 30, 2023

Projected Lineups for LA Kings vs. Sharks in San Jose#GoKingsGo https://t.co/fTJxZead7T pic.twitter.com/0q6LIPxPBq

— MayorsManor.com Staff (@MayorsManor) September 30, 2023

Where To Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings is 7 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it on sanjosesharks.com or the NBC Sports Bay Area app or listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.