Preview/Lines #21: Couture, Meier Finding Chemistry

Since Day 1 of training camp in September, San Jose Sharks forwards Timo Meier and Logan Couture have been inseparable.

Meier, the San Jose Sharks’ leading point producer, and Couture, the team captain, have been partnered on the top line together through the first 20 games, which has provided some consistency in producing every game.

“He’s easy to play with,” Couture said of Meier. “He’s so strong and skating so well right now, getting the puck in the neutral zone, he’s able to enter the zone and make plays with the puck. I just try and put myself in good places and distribute the puck to him as much as I can.”

Despite missing five games due to COVID-19, Meier leads the San Jose Sharks with 18 points in 15 games. His hard-working, power forward mindset has provided an edge in driving toward the net and competing night in and night out.

Two exceptional plays lead to this Mario Ferraro goal – Timo Meier drawing in two defenders and Logan Couture's patience with the puck before dishing. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/VcF3w0PcP6

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) November 17, 2021

“He does a lot of small stuff that maybe gets unnoticed sometimes,” Meier said of Couture. “Winning face-offs, breaking out, winning some battles. He’s definitely helped me and [Dahlen] in all aspects of the game.”

San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner has kept the dynamic duo of Couture and Meier together all season and the chemistry is producing promising results — a combined 14 goals and 34 points.

“Logan plays such a 200-foot game the right way all the time, even if his legs are off one night,” Boughner said of the Couture and Meier chemistry.  “His brain is always on. That’s freed Timo up a little bit.”

This year we're thankful for hockey 🙌🏒 pic.twitter.com/yqPTP0EaXs

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 24, 2021

San Jose Sharks (10-9-1)

The Sharks did not have morning skate today. James Reimer will make his fourth straight start in goal.

Chicago Blackhawks (7-11-2)

Per Daily Faceoff, this is how the Blackhawks are expected to line up:

Hagel – Toews – Kane

DeBrincat – Dach – Kubalik

Kurashev – Borgstrom – Carpenter

Hardman – R. Johnson – Khaira

De Haan – S. Jones

McCabe – Murphy

Kalynuk – Gustafsson

Fleury

Lankinen

Where to Watch

Puck drop against Chicago is 4:00 PM PT at United Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California, the NHL Network, and ESPN+. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.