Barracuda Return Home Looking to Reignite Momentum vs. Silver Knights
After a well-earned breather during the AHL All-Star break, the San Jose Barracuda are back on home ice Saturday night at Tech CU Arena, ready to host the Henderson Silver Knights for the first time this season. The Barracuda have been tough to beat at home lately, riding a five-game winning streak in their own barn. And if last year’s matchup history is any indication-San Jose went 6-1-0-1 against Henderson, including a 3-0-0-1 mark at home-they’ll be looking to pick up right where they left off.
Battling Through Adversity in Abbotsford
The Barracuda’s recent hot streak came to a halt last Saturday in a hard-fought 2-1 loss to the Abbotsford Canucks. It wasn’t for lack of effort-San Jose outshot the Canucks 40-25-but Abbotsford goalie Nikita Tolopilo turned in a stellar 39-save performance to earn first-star honors.
The game had a little bit of everything: physicality, grit, and some tough breaks for the Barracuda. Shane Bowers exited early after a first-period scrap, and with Anthony Vincent getting hit with a game misconduct in the third, San Jose had to finish the final 13 minutes with just nine forwards.
Still, they made a push. Igor Chernyshov scored midway through the third to cut the deficit to one, and the Barracuda kept the pressure on late, but veteran netminder Laurent Brossoit stood tall to seal the win for Abbotsford.
The game also featured 83 combined penalty minutes, underscoring the intensity on both sides.
Henderson Skidding Into San Jose
The Silver Knights are limping into this one. Henderson has dropped five straight and hasn’t won on the road in their last seven tries.
They’re currently six points out of the Pacific Division’s final playoff spot, and their most recent outing-a 4-3 overtime loss to Coachella Valley-was another missed opportunity to stop the slide. For a team still trying to find its footing, facing a Barracuda squad that’s been dominant at home is a tall order.
Familiar Face Returns
There’ll be a familiar name on the visitors’ bench: Jaycob Megna. The former Barracuda captain is back in the Golden Knights organization this season after a few years away.
Megna wore the “C” in San Jose from 2020 to 2022, logging 58 games with the Barracuda and another 92 with the Sharks. His return adds a layer of intrigue to Saturday’s matchup, especially for fans who remember the steady leadership he brought during his time in teal.
Rally Specialists
One thing the Barracuda have made a habit of this season? Comebacks.
Last Friday was their 18th come-from-behind win of the year, erasing an early 1-0 deficit by rattling off five unanswered goals. That kind of resilience is becoming a hallmark of this group.
Overall, San Jose is 11-12-1-0 when giving up the first goal and 7-11 when trailing after one period. Not ideal records, but they’ve shown time and again they won’t fold early.
Injury Sidelines Star Center
The Barracuda will be without one of their biggest offensive weapons tonight. Filip Bystedt, who leads the team in points (36), assists (23), game-winners (4), and overtime goals (2), is out with an upper-body injury.
He was forced to miss the AHL All-Star Game earlier this week and isn’t expected to suit up against Henderson. It’s a tough loss, especially considering Bystedt had already eclipsed all of his rookie numbers from last season and was riding a career-best eight-game point streak earlier this year-one of the longest in franchise history.
Rookie on the Rise
Stepping into the spotlight in Bystedt’s absence is rookie Cam Lund, who’s been heating up at just the right time. Lund was a late addition to the AHL All-Star Classic and has points in six of his last seven games (4 goals, 2 assists).
After wrapping up his college career at Northeastern last season, he got a taste of NHL action with 12 games for the Sharks. Now, he’s finding his rhythm in the AHL and giving the Barracuda another dynamic option up front.
Afanasyev Making His Mark
Another forward making waves is Egor Afanasyev. His seven-game point streak may have ended last Wednesday, but he bounced back in a big way with a two-goal performance in Friday’s 7-3 win.
Since arriving in a trade from Nashville last June, Afanasyev has brought a scoring punch and versatility that’s hard to miss. Last season in Milwaukee, he set career highs across the board-goals, assists, points, special teams production, and shots-and he’s continued that upward trajectory in San Jose.
His time in the KHL with CSKA Moscow last season clearly added another layer to his game.
Huntington Heating Up
Jimmy Huntington is another name worth watching. The eighth-year pro is enjoying a career-best season in the assists column (20) and is now second on the team in scoring with 29 points.
He’s been especially effective lately, racking up 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in his last 10 games, including a season-high three-point outing in Friday’s win. He’s been a steady presence in the lineup and a key contributor during the Barracuda’s recent surge.
With the playoff race heating up and the Barracuda looking to keep their home streak alive, Saturday’s matchup against the Silver Knights isn’t just another game-it’s a chance to build momentum, test their depth without Bystedt, and take advantage of a struggling opponent. Puck drops at 6:00 PM PT at Tech CU Arena.