Chernyshov Returns To Sharks Lineup In Biggest Game Of Season

Igor Chernyshov will return to the San Jose Sharks lineup against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, the biggest game of the season.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed to SJHN that Chernyshov will play with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. The winger was supposed to play with that duo against the Montreal Canadiens before suffering a scary injury just 20 seconds into the game. Despite how it looked, Chernyshov has clearly passed all the San Jose Sharks tests to return.

“Brings size, skating, speed, power, puck, protection, pace. [He] does a lot of good things for us, as far as complimenting some other guys,” Warsofsky said at practice on Friday. “[He] can hold on to a puck with his frame. We obviously like the player a lot, and he’s done a really good job when he’s been up here.”

Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal for the San Jose Sharks, but Yaroslav Askarov is healthy enough to be the backup goalie. The Sharks sent down Laurent Brossoit to the San Jose Barracuda following Friday’s practice.

The Sharks face the Predators for the first time this season, and Tuesday’s game could be seen as a must-win. Nashville has 75 points in 70 games, whereas San Jose has 70 points in 68. Three matchups are remaining between the two teams, and if the Sharks win all three in regulation, they would be able to make up at least the five-point gap.

Both teams are headed in different directions coming into the game. The Sharks have lost four straight in regulation, while the Predators have won four straight. That winning streak has propelled the Predators into the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.