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Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play a part.

After missing each of the last seven games, top-pair defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return to the blue line for the Florida Panthers when they face-off against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.

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Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, and Nate Schmidt, Sam Bennett, A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist and Sam Reinhart also ... in a loss to the Kings. San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov ...

San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier spoke on the state of franchise for over 45 minutes on Tuesday night. Grier shared his approach to the Mar. 7 Trade Deadline, thoughts on Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith’s seasons,

Matthew Tkachuk scored once in a three-point outing while Aaron Ekblad collected one goal and one assist in his return to the lineup to pace the visiting Florida Panthers to a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

BOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Sharks aim to end their five-game skid when they play the Florida Panthers. San Jose is 8-15-1 in home games and 14-31-6 overall. The Sharks have a 5-12-2 record when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent.

Cody Ceci and Will Smith scored in the Sharks' 7-2 loss to Panthers, who got goals from seven players in handing San Jose its sixth straight loss Saturday.

At the forefront of the Sharks’ rebuild is Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old center is having a Calder Trophy-type season; he leads all rookies in goals (16) and is second in points (36) in 41 games. Celebrini missed 12 games because of a lower-body injury sustained in his debut on Oct. 10.

BOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Sharks will look to break a four-game road slide when they visit the Seattle Kraken. Seattle has a 5-8-1 record in Pacific Division games and a 22-27-3 record overall. The Kraken have a 5-9-0 record when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent.