San Jose Sharks
Preview/Lines #24: Lindblom Feels Great, Thinks Goals Are Coming
Oskar Lindblom is not too worried about his slow start to the season.
“My body hasn’t felt this good since I got sick, I think,” the new San Jose Sharks forward noted. “I feel really fresh and like I have all the energy.”
Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, on Dec. 13, 2019. He rang the bell after his final chemotherapy treatment on July 2, 2020.
Fight. Inspire. Overcome. Celebrate.
Ring that bell, @oskarlindblom!@PennMedicine #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/RM1PCxHnfY
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2020
Lindblom would return to the Philadelphia Flyers for two more seasons after his recovery, but was bought out of the final year of his contract. He joined the San Jose Sharks this summer on a two-year deal as a “proven forward who can provide offensive upside in the middle of our lineup,” according to general manager Mike Grier.
Unfortunately, through 22 games, Lindblom has yet to score a goal and has tallied just four assists, which has him on pace for the worst offensive season of his career. “Personally, I feel better and feel like I can play better,” he said.
On where he can improve his game, Lindblom said, “[Be] a little heavier on the puck. On the forecheck, I feel like I’m there but I lose a little too much. Then, trying to open up more space for my linemates and get to those greasy areas where you get rebounds and shots.”
Lindblom also shared his thoughts about the recent passing of Swedish hockey legend Borje Salming from ALS: “Everybody knew who he was… One of the biggest names in Sweden coming over here and it opened up a path for a lot of Swedes to be over here.”
He continued: “I heard about his sickness not that long ago. Then he went to [the Hockey Hall of Fame in] Toronto and got his ovation there. Then just a couple days later, he was gone, so it’s just sad.
“I think it’s good he got all the attention and ovation and positivity. He’s a huge name in Swedish hockey forever and I’m never gonna forget about him.”
Lindblom also shared a heartwarming story about Swedish hockey’s reaction to the news. Lindblom and Salming’s former SHL team Brynas IF were playing an away game on the night that Salming’s death was announced.
“After the first [period], I think, they got told he passed away. So in the second [period] everyone started singing,” Lindblom said. “The home fans went ‘Borje!’ and the away fans went ‘Salming!’ I watched that on TV before one of our games.”
San Jose Sharks (7-13-3)
There’s some uncertainty with San Jose’s line-up today because of an injury to Mario Ferraro and Nico Sturm’s possible return. Kaapo Kahkonen should draw the start.
Head coach David Quinn will have his pre-game availability two hours before the game’s 5 pm start.
BREAKING: Reimer Will Miss Tomorrow’s Game, Should Travel on Road Trip
#SJSharks practice lines today, keep in mind that Barabanov/Gadjovich not here, D-pairings seem mixed with Ferraro/Karlsson not here:
Meier-Hertl-Labanc
Nieto-Couture-Sturm
Gregor-Bonino-Kunin
Lindblom-Lorentz-Svechnikov— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 26, 2022
Quinn told San Jose Hockey Now that Karlsson and Barabanov would play.
Vancouver Canucks (8-10-3)
The Canucks played last night in Vegas, this is how they lined up. Expect Thatcher Demko to get the start tonight:
Warmup lines for the #Canucks vs. @GoldenKnights
Höglander-Horvat-Miller
Mikheyev-Pettersson-Kuzmenko
Garland-Dries-Boeser
Joshua-Ã…man-LazarOEL-Bear
Hughes-Schenn
Burroughs-Myers🥅Martin🥅
7pm on @Sportsnet650 https://t.co/J6DNM1E8Qt pic.twitter.com/SP2pczorst
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) November 27, 2022
Where to Watch
The San Jose Sharks will take on the Vancouver Canucks at 5 PM PST at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.
