Connect with us

San Jose Sharks

Preview/Lines #24: Lindblom Feels Great, Thinks Goals Are Coming

Published

on

Credit: Hockey Shots/Dean Tait

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.

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

BREAKING: Ferraro Placed on IR, Sturm Practices in Full

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:

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.

Welcome to your new home for San Jose Sharks breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to SJHN+ for all of our members-only content from Sheng Peng and the National Hockey Now network plus an ad-free browsing experience.

Sheng’s Travel Fund

Help fund Sheng's travel! Every dollar goes to the cost of getting to and from Sharks road games.


Click here to contribute to Sheng's travel pool!

Get SJHN in your inbox!

Enter your email address to get all of our articles delivered directly to your inbox.

Hockey Shots

Extra Hour Hockey Training

Cathy’s Power Skating

Sharks Team & Cap Info

SJHN on Facebook

All the San Jose Sharks news that's fit to print

Enter your email to get the best Sharks coverage delivered straight to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.