Sharks Split Up Celebrini, Smith Against Sabres

The San Jose Sharks return home to face the Buffalo Sabres at the SAP Center with some line changes, including splitting up Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.

During Tuesday’s morning skate, the Sharks displayed different lines than Monday’s practice. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said he wanted to look at a few different things on Monday.

So why split up the dynamic duo that is Celebrini and Smith?

“Just to balance our lines, really, is where it starts,” Warsofsky said. “We looked at it, and we haven’t generated a whole lot, 5-on-5. We’ve got to try to get something going.”

Smith and Mason Marchment have played together before this season, but over two seasons, Smith and Michael Misa haven’t really seen the ice together at all.

“I think they could be really good. Misa’s pace, Smitty’s smarts to make plays, and Mush winning pucks,” Warsofsky explained. “I think that line could be really effective.”

So what does Smith think about playing with Misa?

“It’ll be good. I mean, Michael’s one of our best skaters. He can fly out there, so partnering with that, and Mush can put [the puck] in the back of the net and can make a lot of plays. I think it will be a good blend,” Smith said.

It is a tad surprising that Smith isn’t getting a chance to play center, his natural position before the NHL, behind Celebrini. SHD asked Warsofsky whether that was discussed.

“Tonight he’s a winger,” Warsofsky responded about how the San Jose Sharks view Smith when he’s away from Celebrini. “No. We haven’t had that conversation.”

Smith and Celebrini will remain together on the top power play unit.

Collin Graf joins Celebrini on the top line with Ivar Stenberg, a trio that could give opposing teams a different look. Stenberg will now get the top matchups at even strength for the first time in his young career, but the Sharks aren’t worried.

“He’s got to play with pace and have some urgency in certain situations. There are some skills that he can utilize that he has in his bag, where it’s puck protection, getting away from the defenders, but also having awareness where he is on the ice to also protect himself from taking big hits,” Warsofsky said of Stenberg. “The more and more he plays on this ice sheet, he gets more comfortable with those situations.”

Puck drop on Tuesday night will be at 7:30 p.m. PT.