Max Miller
The San Jose Sharks held their last practice before a weekend of back-to-back games, and the lineup saw some changes on Friday.
The two main changes are Ivar Stenberg joining Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini on the Sharks’ top line, and Sam Dickinson joining the first power-play unit.
Stenberg goes top line
The winger was put on the top line during the third-period comeback attempt against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
“He’s a great player. I mean, he’s a great playmaker. Can shoot the puck,” Smith said of Stenberg. “He’s obviously such a high pick for a reason.”
Over his past five games, Stenberg has three goals, but in the past two games, his shot totals are up. In both games against the New York Islanders and the Penguins, the San Jose Sharks rookie had four shots. On Wednesday, he also hit three posts, which don’t count as a shot on goal.
“Like three on the bar. It’s like if one goes in the net, we win the game,” Stenberg said after Wednesday’s game.
Dickinson gets PP1 time
Over the past eight games, the San Jose Sharks have won just twice. Their power play has converted at a mediocre 11.4% during that time.
“He can push the pace up the ice on our breakouts and getting into the zone,” Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “And look, we obviously haven’t been good, so things need to change. He’s going to get an opportunity.”
Dickinson wasn’t the only change on the top unit, as Warsofsky also slid Smith down to the second unit. More on that later.
“Just keep it simple. I’d like to say I know how to facilitate a power play. Just do the things I do well. Move the puck fast. Move the puck in the right places. Take my opportunities when they’re there to shoot, and that sort of stuff,” Dickinson said. “Keep it simple on the breakouts and just go out there [and] just play at the end of the day.”
Dickinson recently spoke with SHD directly about his offensive opportunities. Although he wasn’t worried about getting power-play time, he’s excited for his chance. His uptick in play has helped build his confidence and the coaching staff’s trust.
“It’s definitely pretty high right now. I’m definitely feeling pretty good about my game,” the Sharks d-man said. “Obviously, some things I still want to clean up and get better with. But yeah, I think I just trust my ability to do the things that I do well.”
Regarding Smith being off the top unit, Warsofsky used the same reasoning for Dickinson getting the PP1 QB spot.
“I think it’s a little bit of everything. Again, look, our power play hasn’t been good, so you’ve got to make changes. It gives us an option to have two pretty good units,” the San Jose Sharks head coach explained.
The team will now fly to face the Utah Mammoth on Saturday before returning to play the red-hot Nashville Predators at home on Sunday.
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