Logan Stanley (illness) will return to Buffalo's lineup for Game One against the Montreal Canadiens, sending Kesselring to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Kesselring played his postseason debut in Buffalo's previous game and was limited to 4:25 time-on-ice.
Giles is an undrafted 26-year-old forward that has spent most of his career in the AHL. He recorded one assist in three games with the Sharks this season, but scored 24 points (10G / 14A) in 67 games with the Barracuda (AHL).
Wennberg had a resurgent season for the Sharks, earning himself a contract extension by producing at his best rate in nearly a decade, finishing the 2025-26 season with 55 points (18G / 37A) in 80 games. Philipp Kurashev will draw into the lineup as Wennberg's replacement.
Toffoli has missed only two games this season, but he will head to the sidelines in the Sharks' final game. The 33-year-old forward has 49 points (19G / 30A) in 79 games this season. Pavol Regenda will draw into the lineup as Toffoli's replacement.
Ty Dellandrea will draw into San Jose's lineup on Thursday, sending Gaudette to the sidelines as a healthy scratch in the Sharks' final game of the season. The 29-year-old Gaudette concludes the 2025-26 season with 25 points (17G / 8A) in 66 games.
Dellandrea recently return from a prolonged absence due to an injury, but he has been used sparingly, playing only three times in the past three weeks. The 25-year-old forward has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 45 games this season. Adam Gaudette will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Dellandrea's return.
The Sharks' late-season push for a playoff spot came to an end earlier this week, but they will play for pride on Thursday, turning to Nedeljkovic to tend the twine in their final game of the season. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic was excellent in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. He posted a solid 2.40 GAA and .906 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been outscored 18-6 in their last three games (0-3-0).
Pohlkamp was a fifth-round pick of the Sharks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old defenseman recently completed his third season of collegiate hockey, scoring 39 points (18G / 21A) in 42 games with the University of Denver.
Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will likely rest some of their key players, resulting in several call-ups from the Colorado Eagles (AHL), including Barre-Boulet. The 28-year-old Barre-Boulet has been exception with the Eagles this season, scoring 70 points (26G / 44A) in 69 games.
Entering their final game of a disappointing 2025-26 season, the reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets will prepare for an offseason without playoff hockey after one final game on Thursday, turning to Comrie to tend the twine against the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Comrie allowed four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in his previous outing, a 5-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth. That said, Comrie had been on an impressive run heading into the game, posting a 1.48 GAA and .943 SV% in his previous six starts (6-0-0). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -157 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost four of their last five (1-3-1).
Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will likely rest some of their key players, resulting in several call-ups from the Colorado Eagles (AHL), including Barre-Boulet. The 28-year-old Barre-Boulet has been exception with the Eagles this season, scoring 70 points (26G / 44A) in 69 games.
The Sharks' late-season push for a playoff spot came up short earlier this week, and they head into their final game of the regular season on Wednesday, with Askarov tending the twine against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old Askarov was solid in his previous outing, saving 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. That said, Askarov has struggled with consistency this season, as evidenced by the 4.16 GAA and .870 SV% he has in his last five games (2-2-1). The Sharks enter Wednesday's contest as -115 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that has been outscored 17-6 in its last three games (0-3-0).
A day after being officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Jets will turn to Comrie to tend the twine in their second-last game of the regular season. The 30-year-old Comrie has seen limited action in recent weeks, but has been solid when called upon. In his last six starts (6-0-0), Comrie has an impressive 1.48 GAA and .943 SV%. The Jets enter Tuesday's contest as +163 road underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team that has been outscored 8-2 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
A day after being officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Jets will turn to Comrie to tend the twine in their second-last game of the regular season. The 30-year-old Comrie has seen limited action in recent weeks, but has been solid when called upon. In his last six starts (6-0-0), Comrie has an impressive 1.48 GAA and .943 SV%. The Jets enter Tuesday's contest as +163 road underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team that has been outscored 8-2 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
Kesselring was a healthy scratch for Buffalo's previous game but will draw back into the lineup for Luke Schenn on Monday vs. Chicago. The 26-year-old defensemen has struggled to find the scoresheet in his first season in Buffalo, with just two assists and 50 PIMs in 33 games played this season.
Nick Leddy will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Cagnoni to draw into the lineup. The 21-year-old Cagnoni has yet to play a game with the Sharks this season. He made his NHL debut in 2024-25, scoring two assists in six games.
The Sharks have zero margin for error and need heaps of help across the league if they intend on making the postseason, but it begins with Nedeljkovic tending the twine in a must-win game on Monday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic struggled in his previous game, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. That said, he has been the more reliable Sharks goalie lately, helping his team record a point in four of his last five outings (3-1-1). The Sharks enter Monday's contest as +129 road underdogs against an equally desperate Predators team vying to stay in playoff contention.
Askarov allowed six goals on 30 shots in the Sharks lineup in Anaheim on Thursday. Askarov has struggled in his last two starts, allowing 11 goals on 63 shots (.825 SV%) in back-to-back losses. Despite his recent struggles, Askarov comes into Saturday's game with strong streamer appeal. The Sharks are -201 home favourites vs. the Canucks.
