Three Sharks Focus Points For Second Preseason Game

It is only the second preseason game for the San Jose Sharks, but it feels like training camp is already winding down.

Unlike the first warm-up game, the Sharks are dressing a much more NHL-level lineup on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, there are storylines to watch for players trying to make the main roster out of camp.

Alexander Wennberg turns 32 today, and all he cares about is prepping for tonight’s game.

“It’s game ready. It’s game day. Priorities right? I’m just turning 32. There’s nothing special about it, so I’d rather focus on the PK and power play than my birthday for sure,” Wennberg joked.

With that in mind, here are three main focus points to watch in tonight’s game.

1. Special teams play

Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini may not be in the lineup for the San Jose Sharks, but that shouldn’t mean anything. Three players who practiced with the top unit on Sunday will be in the lineup on Tuesday. Luca Cagnoni will get run on the point as QB1. Igor Chernyshov will get a chance to work on his bumper position play, and Wennberg will expertly screen the netminder.

Ivar Stenberg and Michael Misa will join the previous three on the top unit, both gaining valuable time in the same spots they could be in during the regular season.

“Special teams is such a big part of the game right now. I mean, you can change the game, change the outcome of games with it,” Wennberg said. “I think it’s great for us to right away just get into it and work on those details.”

Stenberg will play on the left flank when he’s on the power play, a familiar position for him in his career. As the 2026 No. 2 pick adjusts to NHL-sized ice, power-play touches will help. Plus, his gift to Wennberg could be an apple (assist).

2. New and improved Yaroslav Askarov

Yaroslav Askarov will start in goal for the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday and play the entire game. The netminder is in for a big season with a lot on the line. Askarov is expected to take a strong hold as the No. 1 goalie for Team Teal, and his offseason preparation has prepared him for that.

“Shutout,” Ryan Warsofsky joked about what he wanted to see from his goalie tonight. “Just that he’s doing the things that Speersy and Nabby have talked to him about. In control, and not trying to do too much. [Making] saves the ones he needs to make make the saves on, and let his ability come out.”

Askarov put on nearly 10 pounds of muscle this offseason, which he admitted helped with his explosiveness. Doing that while changing goalie coaches could do wonders for the 24-year-old. Coach Warsofsky couldn’t have said it any better: Askarov needs to show that he can play to his strengths and not do too much this season. Tonight is our first chance to see the improvements he’s made.

3. Filip Bystedt gets a look

The first draft pick in San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier’s tenure, Filip Bystedt, has yet to make his NHL debut. The centerman missed the start of camp with an injury, but is ready to roll on Tuesday.

He hasn’t been talked about much at all during Rookie Faceoff or training camp, but he has a chance to open some eyes tonight. If he wants to make the jump right away, he’s got to show something that the coaching staff hasn’t seen just yet.

Bystedt has had flashes of strong play for minutes at a time, but seemingly disappears for extended periods. The center needs to get more consistent, something the staff preaches more than anything else, if he wants to make the NHL at any point this year.

The 22-year-old is still young, but he’s running out of time and opportunity to establish an NHL role of any sort. He’s been a key contributor for the San Jose Barracuda, but a player’s goal is always the NHL, not the AHL. Bystedt will be on a line with Ethan Cardwell and Jimmy Huntington.

Like Sunday’s game, the game will be streamed on the Sharks website or through the Sharks + SAP Center app. For non-local viewers, NHL Network will also pick up the broadcast.