San Jose brings a two-point standings edge and a bigger scoring engine into a matchup against a Buffalo team searching for a response.
San Jose has a chance to widen the early standings gap at SAP Center: the Sharks sit at 13 points (6-5-1), two ahead of Buffalo (11 points, 4-4-3). Both arrive off losses, but Buffalo has dropped four of its last five and carries a three-game skid, while San Jose is 2-3 in its last five. The scoring spotlight falls on Macklin Celebrini, with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 10 games, against Jack Quinn’s 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 11. San Jose averages 14.8 blocks per game to Buffalo’s 11.5; limiting Quinn’s chances while turning Celebrini’s production into goals could decide whether the Sharks extend their standings advantage.