Sharks Face GOLDEN KNIGHTS in Season Opener | Can San Jose’s New Defense STOP Vegas?

Sharks Face GOLDEN KNIGHTS in Season Opener | Can San Jose’s New Defense STOP Vegas?

The San Jose Sharks host the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the season. Here’s what you need to know. You’re Locked on Sharks, your daily podcast on the San Jose Sharks, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Hello, welcome to Locked on Sharks, the premier hockey podcast covering your favorite team Bay Area. My name is JD Young, Caretaker at the Reef, also the co-host of Locked On NHL. I want to thank you for making Lockdown Sharks your first listen. Uh, proudly part the Lockdown Network. We cover your team every day. And we are back to regular season form, which means back to these 10minute YouTube exclusive game day previews. We’re going to get to know who the Sharks play. Uh we we’re going to be starting the year by looking at the stats from last year. Look at where Vegas is really good. Spoiler everywhere. Look at projected lines and then what to watch for in this game. So uh let’s get started as the Sharks uh host the Vegas Golden Knights in their season opener. As I’m watching this, Vegas is currently losing two to one to the LA Kings with about seven minutes left in the second period right now. So, uh we don’t know if Vegas will be winless or not. So, uh going into this game, but still, um we’re going to start by looking at the stats from last year. And, uh Vegas, spoiler, uh was a very good team. Uh Vegas finished last year at 5022 and 10. Uh these Sharks were at uh 22 uh or sorry 20 50 and 12. But it’s a new year, guys. New year. So uh last year, Vegas finished with the fifth best offense at 3.34 goals for per game. They had 2.61 goals allowed per game, which was third best in the NHL. Uh the second best power play at 28.3%. And then their PK operated at 50 75.7% 26 best. So, uh, their PK was kind of their Achilles heel last year. Uh, the Sharks, of course, the worst offense and worst defense in the NHL at 2.54 goals for allowed 3.78 goals allowed, but Power Play operated at 18.6% and the PK was at 27th, uh, operating at 74.2%. Uh, Dorfia led the Vegas Golden Knights in goals with 35. Eel led with assist and points with 66 and 94. Tofolei led the Sharks with 30 goals. Equin with 41 assists and Celabbrini with 63 points. So, uh, Vegas last year, looking at the micro stats, uh, from advanced hockey, um, advanced hockey stats, sorry, excuse me. Uh, they were great at like everything. Uh, six overall in goals, four percentage, 12th overall in chances, four percentage. Uh, defensively, two second overall in rush shots, four. do not allow rush uh chances. 23rd in in endzone shot sports. If you get going in the defensive zone, you can start creating uh offense. That’s kind of your success is you have to wear this team down. You can’t play running gun. You have to kind of get in and set up against this team. Um, so Vegas like they’re kind of whole method of playing is they are going to like they’re not like like they’re solid in the transition at least they were last year but they just want to like wear you down because right they’re a big heavy team. They want to just control the puck and get shots that way. That is how they uh create goals. Defensively, they’re, like I said, they’re very good at um at kind of denying these this transition play and denying this kind of running gun style. Uh but if you can get it set up, you can have some success against Vegas compared to last year, or at least that’s what the the recipe last year. Um Vegas, of course, uh they’re off season, right? Uh they got some guy named uh Mitch Marner uh from the uh Toronto Maple Leafs. Uh so he’s one of their of course their big addition. Uh they also traded for uh Sizens and Lison. We know Lison was an absolute menace when the Sharks and Golden Knights played in the preseason uh as he was uh being very liberal with his uh hits there. So, um, here’s how they are projected to line up. This from, uh, uh, Puck Pedio, Barbara Chef, I marner top line, uh, Riley Smith, uh, William Carlson and, uh, Mark Stone on the second line, uh, Brandon Sod Hurdle and Dor Fib on your third line, uh, Howen, Sizens, and Kasar on the fourth. McNab, Theodore is your top pair, defensive pair. Hannneath and White Cloud Le uh Leazison and Corzac and Hills starting on Wednesday night. So I assume Schmid Akir Schmid’s going to be getting the start for Vegas on Thursday against the Sharks San Jose. Uh these are the practice lines. So again, this is before practice and we’re assuming that both Misa and Dickinson will not make their NHL debuts as I think the Sharks want to uh as Brian Warovski said um they want to be a little matchup based in a heavy big heavy team like Vegas that’s kind of the idea is not to throw them out there. So, Kersev, Celebrity, Smith, your top line, Ekkan, Wenberg, Tofoley on the second line, Jeff Skinner, Delandrea, Graph on the third, Gudro, Goddess, Reeves in the fourth line, Ferraro, Lilligran, Lety, Clingberg, Orlan, Mukmulan, your defensive pairs, and again, uh, we don’t know the starter, but I’m still I’m assuming Nidelkovich, but it’ll either, you know, Dulkovich or Ascrov will be starting for the Sharks. So, what to watch for? And I think for for San Jose in this game, right? um is how does the new defense gel, right? Because we during the preseason we saw some of the veterans not play up to their best uh throughout and you know Olaf had a really great game and then followed up with a really poor game. Clingberg played pretty well but then got hurt and we didn’t really see him until you know uh after the the first kind of was it game or two for from Clingberg. Um, you know, Nick Leti had some moments, uh, but, you know, both good and bad. So, I think for me, what I’m watching for in this game is how quickly can the defense gel, um, and try to slow down this Vegas offense, right? Um, and again, don’t know if Vegas has won or lost. Uh, but as I’m recording, they’re losing. and they’ve only scored one goal against a very kind of tight defensive team like the go uh like the LA Kings. How close can the Sharks somewhat replicate that, right? And try to keep them in check. Um and that’s the big thing I think is is how can the defense try to slow down this Vegas Golden Knights attack, right? Because if Vegas loses if Vegas loses Wednesday night and their offense is kind of stifled as it’s been all night, you know, they’re going to be coming out to try to get a few in the back of the net and kind of get everybody’s confidence going, right? This is like uh when you you see college teams play like a really tough team week one and then they got that cupcake week two. They’re Vegas is probably looking at the Sharks as that cupcake. So, um that’s I think that’s what I’m watching for the most, too. Uh, the second thing I’m watching for is of course um what other lines can provide offense for San Jose and you especially look at that third line of of the Sharks when you have Skinner um you have Dandria and all eyes are going to be on Tai Dandria from Sharks fans perspective because uh he has not earned the benefit of the doubt uh and as if he has a couple bad performances people are going to be very much screaming aiming for him to not be in the lineup even more so than how the the you know chorus of of booze right now for DeAndreas. So, this third line though, if if they can win a couple matchups here and there with Jess Skinner, right? Uh, and Colin Graph is going to be kind of your do it all type of player. If they can provide a little bit of offense or at least set up guys like Will Smith and Min Cellrini or that second line with Wenberg, Ekkan to Foley. if they can kind of set the table for the other guys, that’s I think going to be the key for the Sharks to try to uh pull off an upset here uh for for San Jose. So, um I’ll make my predictions. I think Celerrini gets on the board. It’s always an easy prediction. I think Celibbrini has a goal tonight. Starts this season off strong. Uh, and I think whoever’s in net, whether it’s Sulkovic or Ascarov, I think they have a strong showing, but I I think Vegas, uh, especially now it’s 3 to1 Vegas, uh, or 3 to1 LA. I think Vegas is going to come in and try to kind of, uh, write the ship here. So, I got 4-2 Vegas win. Uh, I just think Vegas is one of the best teams in the NHL. And, uh, San Jose, they got a lot of new pieces kind of coming together here. So, we’ll have a full breakdown on your next episode of Locked on Sharks, of course, wherever you listen to podcasts and and watching on YouTube as well. Uh, you can follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on Tik Tok. Follow me on uh Twitter and Blue Sky Fryhole. Uh, until tonight, bye friends.

The San Jose Sharks face a tough season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights, last year’s Pacific Division champions.

JD Young breaks down the statistical challenge, highlighting Vegas’s potent offense (3.34 goals per game) and strong defense (2.61 goals allowed) from last season. He analyzes the Golden Knights’ wear-you-down style and its potential impact on the Sharks’ game plan.

The episode explores projected lineups, featuring key players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone for Vegas. Young emphasizes the crucial role of San Jose’s defense in containing the Golden Knights’ attack and discusses how new blue line additions might contribute.

Offensive production across all lines is identified as key for the Sharks, with Young spotlighting the third line’s importance. He also predicts Macklin Celebrini’s performance.

Tune in for expert analysis on the Sharks’ strategy to upset Vegas and start their season strong.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-sharks/

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#NHL #Sharks #SanJoseSharks