For the first time in seven seasons, the Sharks lost their home opener, with a 5-3 win from Philadelphia.
Arguably, the biggest storylines coming into tonight’s game - aside from the start of the season - came down to three threads: How would the number two draft pick Nolan Patrick do in his first NHL game? Would Joe Thornton be at full strength after his knee injury in the spring? And what would the Sharks lineup look like without Patrick Marleau?
Before the puck drop at center ice, Marc-Edouard Vlasic took Marleau’s spot in the pre-game skate out.