Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sharks make lineup changes for game vs. Wild
Share This Post
Comments
Sunday, December 8, 2013 - 9:15am
Follow @kkurzcsn

Programming note: Coverage of Sharks-Wild begins at 2:30 on CSN California with Sharks Pregame Live.

ST. PAUL – According to Matt Nieto, part of the message from the Sharks’ coaches when he was reassigned to Worcester was that they wanted him to get his confidence back.

Perhaps a two-goal, three-assist performance in AHL Worcester two days ago has allowed the 20-year-old speedster to recapture it. Nieto, along with fellow rookie Freddie Hamilton, were recalled from the minors on Saturday and both will play against the Wild on Sunday afternoon.

The Sharks will be trying to end a two-game losing streak in which they’ve been outscored 10-4.

“I hope they inject some energy into the lineup, and I know both of them play fast,” Todd McLellan said. “We’ve lacked in both of those areas the last two nights, and we’ll give both of them an opportunity to try and jump start the group.”

Nieto revealed he would play with Andrew Desjardins and Tommy Wingels, in what could probably considered the team’s third line. Freddie Hamilton will skate with Tyler Kennedy and James Sheppard, meaning Joe Pavelski will likely be bumped up to the Logan Couture-Patrick Marleau line. That leaves Marty Havlat and John McCarthy as the potential scratches, although nothing has been confirmed by the team.

“I think for our line, and me in particular, it’s use my speed and get in on pucks,” said Nieto, who has two goals and four assists in 19 games. “I think if we get down in their end, all three of us have the ability to make plays. I think offense will come off of that.”

Hamilton, 21, had a scoreless four-game stint with the Sharks in late October. He had three points himself in Worcester's 8-2 win on Friday.

“Just play fast and play hard, and try to bring some energy,” Hamilton said of his role. “It’s a little more comfortable doing it before, already coming up from [Worcester]. I feel a little bit more comfortable today.”

The return of Nieto and Hamilton can serve another purpose than just on the ice, of course. It offers a reminder that ice time, and roster spots, will continue to have to be earned. The Sharks’ third line of Pavelski, Havlat and Kennedy has been particularly ineffective on the road trip.

“[Nieto and Hamilton] were part of some of our earlier success, they both play the game fast. It’s a lot to put on two guys to come in and reignite the team, and we can’t expect that completely from them,” McLellan said.

“It’s just about holding some people accountable, and creating some honesty.”

The Sharks held a team meeting shortly before 10 a.m. local time, for the 5 p.m. start (3 p.m. PST). They are 1-2 on their current four-game road trip.

"Sometimes they need to tell each other what they’re thinking and feeling, and we had a little bit of that this morning," McLellan said.

“The biggest challenge for our group is our group. It’s not so much Minnesota. With all due respect to them, it’s our group figuring out what they need to do, and how they want to do it.”

* * *

Antti Niemi will start in net for the Sharks, in his first appearance since getting pulled after two periods in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Giants limited without MLB-ready prospects, extension for Sandoval?
Jackson on injury and fatigue: 'There's no excuse'
Curry: 'We have to turn the tide on how we've been playing'
Beane explains origins of Anderson trade, talks about A's depth

Giants

Giants notes: The latest in search for a left fielder, etc.
Giants' Sabean interested in spring extension for Sandoval
Barry Zito content to surf for now, but not ready to retire
Bochy optimistic rule change to protect catchers on horizon
Read More

Athletics

A's trade Brett Anderson to Rockies
Report: A's talking to Rockies about Anderson trade
Report: Orioles working on deal with Grant Balfour
Report: Orioles, Mets chasing Bartolo Colon
Read More

Sharks

LIVE: Islanders vs. Sharks
Ex-Shark Nabokov emotional in return to Tank
Sharks aim to improve power play, stop skid vs. Isles
Blackhawks goalie Crawford out 2-3 weeks
Read More

49ers

Report: Dolphins poaching 49ers' Thomas off practice squad
Washington's Shanahan might sit Griffin for rest of year
Panthers RB Stewart tears MCL
Cardinals' "Honey Badger" to have season-ending surgery
Read More

Raiders

McGloin will continue to start, with Pryor as accent piece
Patriots put TE Gronkowski on IR with knee injury
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript -- (12/10/13)
Jennings says he's cleared to play vs. Chiefs
Read More

Warriors

Warriors bench continues to shrink
NBA divisions going away?
Loss in Charlotte shows Warriors not ready to join NBA's elite
Paul, Griffin, Clippers too much for 76ers in Philly
Read More

NCAA

Winston, Manziel headline Heisman finalists
Jadeveon Clowney ticketed for driving 110 MPH
Saint Mary's runs past Eastern Washington
Washington, BYU to meet in Fight Hunger Bowl
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Giants notes: The latest in search for a left fielder, etc.
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Giants' Sabean interested in spring extension for Sandoval
(2)
Barry Zito content to surf for now, but not ready to retire
(2)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants limited without MLB-ready prospects, extension for Sandoval?
Giants limited without MLB-ready prospects, extension for Sandoval?
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Bochy optimistic rule change to protect catchers on horizon
D'backs acquire Trumbo in three-team trade

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's trade Brett Anderson to Rockies
(7)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

Report: A's talking to Rockies about Anderson trade
Report: Orioles working on deal with Grant Balfour
See more >

A's VIDEO

Beane explains origins of Anderson trade, talks about A's depth
Beane explains origins of Anderson trade, talks about A's depth
See more >

A's TALK

Report: Orioles, Mets chasing Bartolo Colon
Former A's manager Tony La Russa elected to Hall of Fame
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

LIVE: Islanders vs. Sharks
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Ex-Shark Nabokov emotional in return to Tank
(5)
Sharks aim to improve power play, stop skid vs. Isles
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

McLellan: Power play was awful vs. Wild
McLellan: Power play was awful vs. Wild
See more >

Features

Blackhawks goalie Crawford out 2-3 weeks
In the Crease: Sharks host lowly Islanders

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Ex-Shark Nabokov emotional in return to Tank
  • Sharks aim to improve power play, stop skid vs. Isles
  • In the Crease: Sharks host lowly Islanders
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Warriors bench continues to shrink
(1)
Monte Poole

More Stories

NBA divisions going away?
(6)
Loss in Charlotte shows Warriors not ready to join NBA's elite
(26)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Jackson on injury and fatigue: 'There's no excuse'
Jackson on injury and fatigue: 'There's no excuse'
See more >

Features

Paul, Griffin, Clippers too much for 76ers in Philly
Instant Replay: Curry's night wasted, Warriors lose to Bobcats

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Rudy Gay gets standing ovation from Kings’ fans (VIDEO)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Cousins, Thomas, Williams lead Kings past Mavericks
(1)
It's official: Kings acquire Gay, Acy, Gray from Toronto
(4)
See more >

Watch

Williams on his career-high 31 points: 'I just wanted to be aggressive'
Williams on his career-high 31 points: 'I just wanted to be aggressive'
See more >

Features

McLemore, Kings host streaking Mavericks
Report: Kings acquire Rudy Gay from Raptors

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Report: Dolphins poaching 49ers' Thomas off practice squad
ProFootballTalk

More Stories

Washington's Shanahan might sit Griffin for rest of year
(3)
Panthers RB Stewart tears MCL
(1)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Harbaugh: LaRussa has been a great mentor
Harbaugh: LaRussa has been a great mentor
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers win statement game against rival Seahawks
(37)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

McGloin will continue to start, with Pryor as accent piece
(6)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Patriots put TE Gronkowski on IR with knee injury
(1)
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript -- (12/10/13)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Marcel Reece: 'I love having the ball in my hands'
YSTL: Marcel Reece: 'I love having the ball in my hands'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Defense regresses in bad loss to Jets
(17)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Who got off easy in the World Cup draw?
Associated Press

More Stories

US to play Ghana, Portugal, Germany at World Cup
World Cup stadium in Brazil partially collapses
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants notes: The latest in search for a left fielder, etc.
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors bench continues to shrink
(1)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

The 49ers can make the playoffs after this weekend, if ...
(22)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

McGloin will continue to start, with Pryor as accent piece
(6)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Ex-Shark Nabokov emotional in return to Tank
(5)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Wishing for Super Bowl XLVIII to be ruined by historic blizzard

TOP STORIES

  • Ex-Shark Nabokov emotional in return to Tank
  • Sharks aim to improve power play, stop skid vs. Isles
  • Blackhawks goalie Crawford out 2-3 weeks

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Washington, BYU to meet in Fight Hunger Bowl
Florida State to face Auburn for BCS Title

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Giants limited without MLB-ready prospects, extension for Sandoval?
Giants limited without MLB-ready prospects, extension for Sandoval?
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California