Sharks’ Warsofsky Explains 6-on-5 Lineup Choices

With the San Jose Sharks losing five in a row, criticism is being thrown at head coach Ryan Warsofsky about all kinds of lineup decisions.

One of them is the Sharks’ lineup when they have an empty net and need a goal late in the third period. On Monday, the head coach talked through how he handles which players go on the ice.

At the end of Monday’s morning skate, the Sharks worked on this exact scenario. The six players who were on the ice were Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Mason Marchment, Alexander Wennberg, Ivar Stenberg, and Kiefer Sherwood.

“Obviously, you got Mack and Smitty that can make plays. Sherwood can hunt down pucks. Mush is a big guy that has scored a lot around the net in this league. Steny, we’ve seen the poise and the patience on the half wall,” Warsofsky said.

This scenario for the San Jose Sharks comes into focus as a player like Michael Misa could be considered a snub for not being part of that rotation. The winger has had a massive jump in play recently and is currently on the top line. Against the Dallas Stars, Misa did not play the final five minutes of the game, even though the team needed a goal. He had scored the opening goal.

So why not Misa or other Sharks forwards?

“Not saying Misa can’t do it or other guys can’t do it. Those are the guys that we’re going with right now,” Warsofsky explained. “We feel comfortable with. Does that change as we go? Maybe. We’re still a young group that’s figuring out those roles.”

Warsofsky isn’t set on the six he had in Monday’s morning skate being the ones to go out every time the San Jose Sharks need a goal with their goalie pulled. He explained they watch film constantly, including in practice, to help make the decision. He did admit that if a player is playing well in a game, that could change things.

“There’s some of that. There’s definitely feel,” the Sharks coach said. “A guy like Tyler Toffoli could be on it. He can score, even if he’s struggling to find his game that night. So there’s definitely feel to it. But there’s also that you’ve practiced it. You want to make these guys comfortable, and there is chemistry to it.”

It would be a shock if Celebrini or Smith weren’t on the ice at the end of the game in that situation, and, to a lesser extent, Wennberg. But the other three are options for Warsofsky to swap out.

Sharks fans have criticized Marchment online, but Warsofsky believes the winger is turning his game around.

“I think his last two games he’s skating more. That’s when he’s effective,” Warsofsky said. “I would say these last two games are, we’re getting close to seeing his game pop.”

Marchment has four goals and three assists this season for the San Jose Sharks.