ST. LOUIS \u2014 The San Jose Sharks look to be getting some significant reinforcements tonight.<\/p>\n
Yaroslav Askarov (lower-body) will start, in his first appearance since Mar. 10.<\/p>\n
Askarov knows that the Sharks, on a five-game losing streak, are falling fast out of the playoff race, but he\u2019s also trying to not put too much pressure on himself, though he\u2019s the team\u2019s last line of defense: \u201cWe need try to relax and try to have fun, try to get that feeling back. Like in the middle of season or first couple months, we [were] hot, just having some fun, not overthinking and stuff, just playing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tyler Toffoli (lower-body) joined the Sharks in St. Louis on Wednesday and is officially a game-time decision tonight. Toffoli has been out since Mar. 19, when he left the first period of a 5-0 loss against the Buffalo Sabres.<\/p>\n
He said that he felt good after today\u2019s morning skate but admitted that he\u2019s not quite 100 percent: \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s too serious, but it\u2019s definitely something that can maybe take a little bit more time. But position that we\u2019re in, trying to win games, hopefully, I can help the team win tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hopefully, Askarov and Toffoli can be difference-makers for a team that sorely needs that right now. Neither are having their best seasons, but when both are at top of their games, they\u2019re impact players.<\/p>\n
San Jose Sharks (32-31-6)<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s practice was optional, so the Sharks did not run lines.<\/p>\n
Askarov will start.<\/p>\n
Got some clarification on not playing Askarov yesterday: He was healthy to play, hence Brossoit going back to the Cuda. \u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Head coach Ryan Warsofsky indicated that there are game-time decisions at forward and defense, so we won\u2019t know until warm-ups who\u2019s playing.<\/p>\n He did confirm that Igor Chernyshov, who just played his first game on Tuesday after a scary Mar. 14 concussion at the Montreal Canadiens, will play tonight.<\/p>\n It is worth noting that Pavol Regenda and Philipp Kurashev stayed out late during morning skate, so they look like the odd men out if Toffoli is ready to play.<\/p>\n Also, Warsofsky said he\u2019s \u201cstill not sure\u201d if Ty Dellandrea (lower-body) will be available to play on this road trip.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to be on top, you have to feel sore after the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Dmitry Orlov had lots to say after #SJSharks<\/a>‘ devastating loss to Preds.<\/p>\n He offered much winning wisdom here, hopefully Sharks listen, before it’s too late: https:\/\/t.co\/DQjxXuDvUb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Warsofsky, by the way, had lots of praise for Dmitry Orlov, both on and off the ice:<\/p>\n \u201cCompetes hard, gives everything he\u2019s got every single night. Is it perfect some nights? No, but he finds a way, sometimes, to impact the game in his B or C game. I think he\u2019s been a really good addition to our group.<\/p>\n \u201cKnows how the game should be played and how physical you have to play as a defenseman to close and kill plays. He\u2019s done a really good job this year, helping our younger guys in the back-end.<\/p>\n \u201cHe leads by example the way he prepares. He\u2019s probably the first guy at the rink every single day. He takes care of himself, making sure he\u2019s ready mentally and physically.\u201d<\/p>\n St. Louis Blues (29-30-11)<\/p>\n (3-26-26) Sharks-Blues Gameday Lineup \u2014 Thomas out, Dvorsky moves to top line; Walker gets back in, as does Kessel; Hofer gets another start: https:\/\/t.co\/L7yadczBJM<\/a> #stlblues<\/a> #sjsharks<\/a><\/p>\n
\u00a0#SJSharks<\/a>\u2019 preference, considering Askarov just back from injury, was to not force him in cold in a game. Warsofsky also put the goals allowed mostly on the\u2026<\/p>\n