Preview/Lines #64: Simek Has Two Injuries, Knyzhov Back Tonight?

The San Jose Sharks’ defensive depth will be tested tonight.

Radim Simek exited the Sharks’ 8-3 Saturday night loss to the Washington Capitals early after blocking a shot.

Simek didn’t make the three-game road trip, and according to head coach David Quinn, he’s dealing with two injuries, a foot injury after blocking said shot, and an unidentified upper-body injury.

In his stead, the Sharks recalled Nick Cicek and Nikolai Knyzhov from the AHL.

It’d been that kind of year from Simek, who just returned from his second concussion of the season on Feb. 28 after an almost three-month absence.

Hopefully, Simek’s upper-body injury is not related to his concussion issues this year.

Quinn also noted that the Sharks are dealing with another game-time decision on defense, so both Cicek and Knzyhov could play tonight.

If Knyzhov plays, it will cap off a remarkable return for the 24-year-old, who hasn’t played an NHL game since May 12, 2021. The Russian blueliner has suffered a litany of injuries since then but has been on the comeback trail with the San Jose Barracuda since Jan. 25.

SOURCE: Knyzhov Will Debut for Barracuda This Wednesday

“It’s an awful lot to ask of a player when you missed two full seasons, regardless of what level you come back to. There’s a timing issue,” Quinn noting, before saying of Knyzhov’s rehab, “It’s been fun to watch his progress. As each game has gone by, he’s got better and better and he’s put himself in a position to get called up.”

San Jose Sharks (18-33-12)

Reimer starts, no changes up front, but both Cicek AND Knyzhov may play tonight. Simek is not traveling, and there's another game-time decision on defense

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 6, 2023

Winnipeg Jets (36-25-2)

#NHLJets lines:

Connor-Scheifele-Niederreiter
Ehlers-Dubois-Wheeler
Barron-Lowry-Namestnikov
Maenalanen-Stenlund-Appleton

Morrissey-Pionk
Dillon-DeMelo
Samberg-Schmidt

Rittich
Hellebuyck

Extras: Kuhlman, Gagner, AJF, Gustafsson

— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) March 6, 2023

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Winnipeg Jets at 4:30 PM PST at Canada Life Centre. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.