Jets at Sharks (Game 33): Lines, game thread and how to watch

The Winnipeg Jets will make their only visit to the SAP Center this season to take on the San Jose Sharks tonight. The last time these two teams met, the Jets defeated the Sharks 8-3 on October 18th. It was just one of the Jets’ eight wins to start the season.

Since then, Winnipeg hasn’t taken its foot off the gas. The Jets are first in the Central Division with a record of 22-9-1.

Before we jump into the game, let’s take a moment to commend the NHL for their absolute bullshit. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky toed the NHL line Saturday night when he said NOTHING to the media about some of the nonsense calls made by the referees during the game against the Utah Hockey Club. In fact, he went out of his way not to comment, which drew the ire of some fans.

However, the NHL still felt entitled to punish Warsofsky for something he said in the game. Seriously?

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky fined $25,000: https://t.co/jmqkMYmGM2 pic.twitter.com/pXIcxp2FZm

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 17, 2024

How much do you want to bet if Warsofsky had known he would be fined, he would have had many more poignant words for the league and its management after the game?

Here’s what he told the media after practice today.

Warsofsky on controlling his emotions

“It’s something I’m trying to get better at. At the same time I am passionate. I wear my feelings on my sleeve. Sometimes it’s what’s best for me, but at the end of the day I need our players back and that’s not going to change.”

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) December 17, 2024

“It’s something I’m trying to get better at. At the same time I am passionate. I wear my feelings on my sleeve. Sometimes it overwhelms me, but at the end of the day I have to have our players back and that won’t change,” Warsofsky said. (via Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News).

The Jets made NHL history today as the team signed the first Chinese-born player to an NHL contract.

STORY. MADE. 🗣️

The #NHLJets have signed striker Kevin He on a three-year entry-level contract! This makes him the first Chinese-born player to sign a contract @NHL ✍️ pic.twitter.com/AX68TGm338

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 17, 2024

Kevin He plays in the OHL for the Niagara IceDogs. He was selected 109th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. While he was born in Beijing, his family moved to Canada shortly after his birth. He began playing minor ice hockey in the Montreal area around the age of six.

For Neal Pionk of the Jets, it is the 500th NHL game of his career. He began his career with the New York Rangers, where he played 101 games. Since then, he has played the last six seasons with the Jets.

The Jets’ top scorer is Kyle Connor with 38 points in 32 games. He ranks 14th in the NHL in points. Connor also leads the team with 17 goals, ranking eighth in the league.

Connor Hellebuyck leads the NHL with 19 wins. He is 19-5-1 on the season. He has a save percentage of .926 and a goals-against average of 2.11.

Tonight it’s the San Jose Sharks

According to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, here are the lines for tonight. Peng reports that Ty Dellandrea will sit and Carl Grundstrom will be there. Alexandar Georgiev will start in net.

Forward
Barclay Goodrow – Mikael Granlund – Fabian Zetterlund
Nikolai Kovalenko – Macklin Celebrini – Tyler Toffoli
William Eklund – Alex Wennberg – Will Smith
Carl Grundstrom – Nico Sturm – Luke Kunin

defense
Jake Walman – Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro – Timothy Liljegren
Shakir Mukhamadullin – Jan Rutta

goalkeeper
Alexandra Georgiev
Vitek Vanecek

Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks face off on December 17, 2024

The Jets held an optional practice today, so we’re going with Monday’s practice lines. Here’s what the Jets’ website reports the lines will likely look like tonight.

Forward
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabe Vilardi
Cole Perfetti – Vladislav Namestnikov – Nikita Chibrikov
Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron – Rasmus Kupari – Alex Iafallo

defense
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Haydn Fleury – Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley-Dylan Coghlan

goalkeeper
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie

Here’s how to watch the Winnipeg Jets at the San Jose Sharks on December 17, 2024

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. CT at the SAP Center in San Jose.

Sharks fans can watch the game on NBC Sports California or listen on the Sharks & SAP Center app.

Jets fans can watch on TSN 3 or listen on the radio at 680 CJOB and Power 97.