Preview/Line #24: Sturm activated from IR, cold run through locker room

On By Littum

It’s unusual to have about 4-5 game-time decisions thrown into a game.

But that is the case on Monday night for the San Jose Sharks, per head coach Ryan Warsofsky.

According to a source, a chill runs through the dressing room.

“We’ve got some guys,” Warsofsky said.

A couple of players that don’t appear to be a question mark are Nico Sturm and Henry Thrun.

Sturm suffered an upper body injury on Nov. 14 against the New York Rangers and has been on IR since.

But he was activated today and the San Jose Sharks, with a full 23-man roster, sent defenseman Jack Thompson down.

The Sharks now have 14 forwards, six defenders and three goalkeepers.

So that puts blueliner Thrun, who sat Saturday night, back in the lineup, and probably Sturm as well.

San Jose Sharks (6-12-5)

So who starts tonight?

Yaroslav Askarov entered the locker room only after the morning skate, but when the media entered, his stall was cleared out, indicating he had been sent down.

Mackenzie Blackwood followed, that’s my best guess at the start. But for what it’s worth, Warsofsky didn’t rule out an Askarov start.

The Sharks also chose to pass on Thompson over Askarov, there should be a reason for that, even if it could be as simple as getting the top goalie prospect another day or two of NHL salary.

Vitek Vanecek was the last goaltender in the room, so you figure he won’t start tonight unless San Jose plans a Keyser Soze twist in a few hours.

“I’m not going to let you guys know the goalie until warmups,” Warsofsky said.

The Sharks bench boss isn’t usually evasive about his starter on the day, maybe it has something to do with the cold running through the room or not.

Los Angeles Kings (11-7-3)

Where to see

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings is 7:30pm PT at the SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.