Following a dominating 6-3 win, the San Jose Sharks face the Los Angeles Kings less than 24 hours later at the Golden State Rookie Face-Off.

The Sharks’ prospects showed why they are considered the top prospect pool in the NHL. But can they recover in time to prove it again?

It might still be the prospects, but here’s what I am watching today.

Davis & Kirsch get their chance to impress the Sharks

Josh Ravensbergen was stellar last night, but now Matt Davis and Christian Kirsch get their chance to prove their value.

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I’ll be watching Davis, especially in today’s game. Davis should be in the mix for a lot of starts with the San Jose Barracuda this season. While playing for the University of Denver in 24-25, Davis appeared in 40 games. He finished with a 29-10-1 record, a 2.07 goals-against average, and a .924 save percentage. The 23-year-old was named to the NCHC All-Tournament Team and was also recognized as the NCHC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

He’s led his NCAA club to three different Frozen Four appearances and two finals, where he won both.

Davis will start the game but split with Kirsch.

Kirsch, a 4th-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, will play for the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League this season. He is also committed to the University of Massachusetts.

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With Ravensbergen and Askarov leading the way for San Jose Sharks goalie prospects, the next two seasons are critical for the 19-year-old to prove he can develop his game.

No Cagnoni in the lineup means Dickinson will be the No. 1 guy

The Sharks ran a top power-play unit of Luca Cagnoni, Michael Misa, Collin Graf, Quentin Musty, and Igor Chernyshov against the Ducks. They converted three times, and Cagnoni once again starred in those situations.

Cagnoni will be a healthy scratch today as the d-man is already an established player.

John McCarthy told reporters he wanted to get everyone in the lineup today and will roll with 11F-7D.

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Sam Dickinison will be the de facto No. 1 guy for the Sharks. The 2024 first-round pick will run the top power-play unit as well.

“I think he knows that [he’s the guy],” McCarthy said. “He’s done it. I am looking for him to make plays like he always does.”

Dickinson’s game will be under a microscope for me. Finishing this afternoon’s game with a ton of confidence could be the perfect segue into the San Jose Sharks training camp.

Cam Lund will be out of the Sharks’ lineup against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The forward took a high hit to the head in the third period of Friday’s game and didn’t return.

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McCarthy said Lund would be day-to-day and didn’t provide an update on whether this injury could bleed into Sharks training camp.

With San Jose going with 11 forwards, top prospects like Michael Misa, Quentin Musty, and Kasper Halttunen will get some extra ice time.

That trio will be a standard forward line throughout the game, as per McCarthy. But with Team Teal missing a forward, opportunities for other players to step up will be abundant.

“Same thing. I think they have to approach the game the same way,” McCarthy said. “Play inside. Create offense when the chances are there, and defend, and defend good ice. Make smart plays with the puck.”

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2025 NHL Draft picks Teddy Mutryn and Max Heise could see more ice time and are a focus for me.

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