As the regular season winds down, the San Jose Sharks are in the next-season-experimental phase with their line-up, testing line combinations and depth. Kaapo Kahkonen was given the start in net, Rudolfs Balcers began the night on the fourth line (a message he very much received), and all of the call-ups — Noah Gregor, Sasha Chmelevski, Ryan Merkley, John Leonard, and Scott Reedy — were all given the go-ahead. Matt Nieto also returned from injury.
The Colorado Avalanche controlled the opening of the game, which is perhaps unsurprising given their likelihood of winning the President’s Trophy this year.