PITTSBURGH – Martin Jones will return to the net after his shutout in Philadelphia, but the Sharks made a few other changes to their lineup ahead of Saturday’s game against the Penguins.
San Jose will be trying to remain perfect on its road trip after beating the Red Wings, Sabres, Bruins and Flyers, all in one-goal games.
Joonas Donskoi has replaced Matt Nieto on the second line with Patrick Marleau and Joel Ward, while Nikolay Goldobin will get back in after a two-game stretch in the press box, on the third line with Tomas Hertl and Tommy Wingels. Nieto, Chris Tierney and Mike Brown will be the fourth liners.
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On defense, expect Matt Tennyson to get back in for Mirco Mueller after Mueller played the previous three.
In the past few games, including Thursday, the Sharks have shortened their bench late in close games. Against the Flyers, for example, Mueller, Brown and Micheal Haley all played sparingly in the third period. Earlier on the trip, Goldobin was benched for the third period of the team’s win in Buffalo.
Assistant coach Steve Spott was asked if the new line changes were made in the hopes of avoiding that kind of situation again.
San Jose Sharks
“At this level it’s about wins, and I think any time you’re coaching you’re doing whatever you can, especially in these one-goal games on the road when you don’t have last change,” Spott said. “It’s important you have the right people out at the right time.”
Goldobin, who has one goal and one assist in seven games, hasn’t played since skating for just 7:32 on Nov. 14 in Buffalo.
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What’s the message to the 20-year-old rookie?
“He’s a young player that possesses a lot of skill. But, he has to continue to work away from the puck,” Spott said. “That’s the biggest challenge for Nick, is being a trusted player.
“One thing about Pete DeBoer is if you’re a trusted player, you’re going to play. He’s getting there, he’s learning. I think our guys at the American League have done a great job with him. Part of my job here is to work with Nick when he’s with us. It’s a lot of video, a lot of teaching, but we’re prepared do to that because he’s a special player.”
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Paul Martin will be competing against his former team for the first time since signing a four-year, $19.4 million contract with San Jose on July 1.
A tribute video is expected for the 34-year-old veteran that played 297 games over five seasons with the Penguins.
“I didn’t know that was going to happen. It’s a nice gesture by them,” Martin said. “They’re a classy organization. I’m sure I’ll get some emotion from that and enjoy that, but once the puck drops you’ve got to play the game.”
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Jones will making his seventh straight start, facing Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes. The goalies have near identical numbers, with Jones sporting a 10-5-0 record, 2.09 goals-against average and .925 save percentage to Fleury’s 10-6-0 record, 2.14 GAA and .927 SP.