San Jose Sharks Shake Things Up Ahead of Avalanche Clash
CHICAGO - With one game left before the Olympic break, the San Jose Sharks are making some bold moves-and they’re not being subtle about it. When they hit the ice in Denver tomorrow to face the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche, there will be some fresh faces in key spots and a power play that’s getting a full-on makeover.
Let’s start with the big news: Kiefer Sherwood is set to make his Sharks debut, and he’s not easing in quietly. He’s slotted right onto the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. That’s a major assignment for a newcomer, but Sherwood sounds ready to embrace the challenge.
“Those guys are world-class players. Their magic speaks for itself,” Sherwood said after practice. “I’ll try to play to their strengths, win some pucks back, create some space for them, and just get them the puck.”
In other words, Sherwood knows his role: do the dirty work, let the kids cook.
Misa Gets the Bump
Another notable change? Michael Misa is getting a serious promotion, moving up to center the second line between William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli. That puts the 17-year-old in a high-leverage spot, and it speaks volumes about how much trust the coaching staff has in his game.
Here’s how the lines shaped up in practice:
Forwards:
- Sherwood - Celebrini - Smith
- Eklund - Misa - Toffoli
- Kurashev - Wennberg - Graf
- Goodrow - Ostapchuk - Gaudette
Defense:
- Orlov - Klingberg
- Ferraro - Liljegren
- Mukhamadullin - Desharnais
Sherwood wasn’t just brought in for his offensive upside. He also made it clear he wants to bring some fire to a Sharks team that’s looked flat in back-to-back losses. "Bring the team into the fight" was his phrase-something San Jose could definitely use more of as they try to find their edge.
Power Play Goes All-In on Offense
Perhaps the most eye-catching change is on the man advantage. The Sharks are going with five forwards on the top unit, a high-risk, high-reward look that’s all about puck movement and shot creation.
Power Play Units:
PP1:
- Point: Celebrini
- Left Flank: Smith
- Right Flank: Eklund
- Net Front: Wennberg
- Slot: Toffoli
PP2:
- Point: Klingberg
- Left Flank: Sherwood
- Right Flank: Orlov
- Net Front: Misa
- Slot: Kurashev
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky is leaning into the offensive skill here. Celebrini, typically a half-wall threat, will operate from the point to draw less defensive heat and open up more space for his teammates.
With Smith and Eklund on opposite flanks-one righty, one lefty-the Sharks are setting up for dueling one-timers. It’s the kind of setup that could give penalty kills nightmares if the timing clicks.
On the second unit, Sherwood and Dmitry Orlov are expected to bring a shooter’s mindset, while Misa-despite being one of the smaller guys out there-will be tasked with puck retrievals and net-front disruption. It’s a gutsy call, but one that shows how much the Sharks value Misa’s quickness and hockey IQ.
Roster Notes and Injury Update
Veterans Pavol Regenda, Jeff Skinner, and Sam Dickinson are expected to be healthy scratches for this one. Meanwhile, Ryan Reaves missed practice and has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. That move cleared the roster spot for Sherwood’s activation.
All Eyes on the Effort
With the Olympic break looming and the Avalanche standing tall as the league’s top team, Warsofsky isn’t putting all the pressure on the scoreboard. Instead, he’s focused on the process-and the compete level.
“We got to be fast and loose,” Warsofsky said. “We got to get out there and just play and compete and do the things that we did when we were winning hockey games-through our structure, through our effort, through our competitiveness.”
He didn’t confirm whether the practice lines will stick for game time-coaches rarely do, especially when facing a familiar foe like Jared Bednar. But whether it’s gamesmanship or just keeping his options open, one thing’s clear: the Sharks are throwing some new looks at the Avalanche, and they’re hoping that energy translates into results.
Tomorrow’s game isn’t just about beating Colorado. It’s about showing some fight, testing out new chemistry, and setting a tone heading into the break. With Sherwood and Misa stepping into the spotlight, the Sharks are betting on youth, grit, and a little bit of chaos to shake things up.