The San Jose Sharks have a chance to advance to the Western Conference Final if they win tonight’s Game 6 matchup at Pepsi Center. Players hope to avoid Game 7 no matter how memorable and enjoyable their last one was against the Vegas Golden Knights. So far no team had won two consecutive wins in the series.
#SJSharks head coach Peter DeBoer speaks to the media at morning skate. https://t.co/dGngNecc6C
— x – San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 6, 2019
In Game 5, Tomas Hertl scored two goals in the 2-1 victory in SAP Center. Hertl has been stepping up to the plate since captain Joe Pavelski been injured. Tonight, goaltender Martin Jones will start in net with a .926 save percentage. The Sharks are expected to keep the same Game 5 lineup for tonight’s game. The good news for the Sharks is that since 2016 they have been 5-1 when given a chance to eliminate an opponent in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For the sixth consecutive game, the Sharks will be without Pavelski. The captain suffered the head injury against the Golden Knights in Game 7. According to multiple reports, Pavelski could possibly return if there is a Game 7 in this series.
Injured San Jose star Joe Pavelski will not be on the ice for the Sharks Game 6 showdown with the Colorado Avalanche Monday night, but says he could be back in the lineup if a Game 7 is needed. https://t.co/xXlhymScIR
— KPIX 5 (@KPIXtv) May 6, 2019
Veteran forward Joe Thornton is happy with Pavelski’s recovery and possibility to return to the team.“He was in a battle for a little bit. He’s feeling better each day now. That’s an encouraging sign. “ Thornton said. “At the time you just felt so bad for him, I just wanted to be so gentle with him, made sure we got him to the bench OK.”
Forwards
Timo Meier — Logan Couture – Gustav Nyquist
Evander Kane — Tomas Hertl — Joonas Donskoi
Marcus Sorensen — Joe Thornton — Kevin Labanc
Micheal Haley — Barclay Goodrow — Melker Karlsson
Defense
Marc-Edouard Vlasic — Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon — Erik Karlsson
Joakim Ryan — Justin Braun
Starting Goalie
Martin Jones
This will be the first elimination game for the Avalanche in this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. They hope to tie the series and play Game 7 at San Jose. They will depend on their star power to put pressure on Sharks goaltender Martin Jones. Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon failed to score in Game 5. This is the first time in the series and the second time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that he was held without a point. Colorado needs its superstar forward to get on the scoresheet to force a Game 7.
Forward Matt Calvert will be out for tonight’s game with an upper-body injury. This is the second consecutive game that the Avalanche will be without their forward. Defenseman Patrick Nemeth will make his series debut tonight as forward Sven Andrighetto will be a healthy scratch. Colorado will shake things up and use 11 forwards and 7 defensemen for Game 6.
Matt Calvert is out again tonight. Missed game three, played game four, and then missed game five.
Still dealing with the effects from the hit by Brent Burns in game two. #GoAvsGo @CBSDenver— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) May 6, 2019
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This is the first time they will be using 7 defensemen. The lineup change is the Avalanche game plan to stop the Sharks strong offensive cycle. “[Nemeth’s] heaviness down low, being able to stop the cycle, is one of his strengths. Shot blocking is something he brings. Penalty kill, he’s been really good for us all year.”
Gabriel Landeskog — Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Colin Wilson – Tyson Jost – Alexander Kerfoot
Matt Nieto – Carl Soderberg — J.T. Compher
Gabriel Bourque – Derick Brassard
Samuel Girard — Cale Makar
Nikita Zadorov — Tyson Barrie
Ian Cole — Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth
Starting Goalie
Philipp Grubauer
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