Preview/Lines #9: Meier in COVID Protocol, MVP-Caliber Start on Pause

How important has Timo Meier been to the success of the San Jose Sharks?

We’ll find out tonight, as Meier is the latest Shark to be added to COVID protocol, joining Erik Karlsson, Kevin Labanc, Jake Middleton, Matt Nieto, Radim Simek, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Jonathan Dahlen tested out and will play against Buffalo tonight, corroborating San Jose Hockey Now’s report on Sunday.

SOURCES: Dahlen, Nieto Asymptomatic; Dahlen Could Play Tuesday

Acting head coach John MacLean – Bob Boughner remains in COVID protocol – said of Meier this morning: “From what I understand, he feels fine.”

The San Jose Sharks sure hope so: Meier leads the team in a number of counting and underlying stats.

• Meier is fourth in the NHL with 37 shots
• Meier leads the Sharks in goals (5), points (11), and even strength points (9). He’s also tied for the team lead in assists (6)
• He’s third among Sharks forwards in TOI (17:55), trailing only centers Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl
• Per SPORTLOGiQ, Meier leads the Sharks in Shot Attempts (67), Slot Shots (23), Inner Slot Shots (11), Cycle Chances (14), Forecheck Chances (5), Rebound Chances (6), and Quality Chances (17)
• He’s second in NHL in Slot Shots, trailing only Adam Henrique (26)
• He also leads the Sharks in OZ Possession Time (00:29), Controlled Entries, and Controlled Exits

For my money, he’s been the San Jose Sharks’ Team MVP so far this season. He’s been the engine of the offense, whether it’s exiting the zone with possession, entering the zone with possession, firing the puck from everywhere, and bullying his way to dangerous scoring areas.

San Jose Sharks (5-3-0)

Okay projected lineup, we tried. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/CjywN4AvIP

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 2, 2021

Buffalo Sabres (5-2-1)

Sabres' morning skate in San Jose:

Asplund-Thompson-Caggiula
Skinner-Cozens-Hinostroza
Girgensons-Eakin-Okposo
Bjork/Murray-Ruotsalainen-Hayden

Dahlin-Butcher
Bryson-Miller
Hagg-Pysyk
Wolanin

Anderson, Tokarski

— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) November 2, 2021

Where to Watch

Puck drop against Buffalo is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live exclusively on ESPN+/Hulu. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.