Yaroslav Askarov has resumed his role as the goaltender for the San Jose Sharks after recovering from an illness. Askarov will play against the Pittsburgh Penguins today, marking the conclusion of a five-game road trip for the Sharks.
Game Background
Askarov began the road trip in Dallas, where he started against the Stars. In his absence, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stepped in. Nedeljkovic had an impressive performance, winning two out of three games and making 82 saves on 88 shots.
Mukhamadullin’s Situation
Shakir Mukhamadullin had returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for four consecutive games. However, he suffered an upper-body injury during a recent match against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky described Mukhamadullin’s condition as day-to-day.
- Warsofsky expressed confidence in a short recovery time for Mukhamadullin.
- Nick Leddy and Vincent Iorio will replace Mukhamadullin and Timothy Liljegren, who is a healthy scratch.
Coach’s Comments on Liljegren
Coach Warsofsky addressed the situation with Liljegren, noting a decline in his consistency, particularly in critical plays and puck battles. He emphasized the importance of Liljegren returning to form, highlighting the need for a reset in his game.
Additional Player Updates
- Ryan Reaves is a game-time decision but has been confirmed to play.
- Ty Dellandrea remains a game-time decision due to a lower-body issue.
Trade News and Player Highlights
The Penguins recently made headlines by trading for Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Tristan Jarry. This move adds new dimensions to their roster as they prepare for today’s game.
Last week, the Sharks’ management held discussions with Sidney Crosby about Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini has also expressed admiration for Crosby, further enhancing the connection between the two players.
Viewing Information
The matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins is set to begin at 12 PM PT at PPG Paints Arena. Fans can catch the live broadcast on NBC Sports California and listen via the Sharks Audio Network.
