San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (illness) will stay in the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He was initially questionable for the game after sitting out Wednesday's practice due to an illness.

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Stream free on Fubo. The Sharks sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division standings in what appears to be a lost season for San Jose. At this point,

Granlund will travel with the Sharks ahead of Thursday's game in Seattle, but it's unclear whether his illness will prevent him from suiting up. If Granlund is held out against the Kraken, Carl Grundstrom is a candidate to re-enter the lineup.

Tonight, the San Jose Sharks hit the road for a one-game trip against the Seattle Kraken. Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each.

Playing Thursday

Take the San Jose Sharks moneyline for tonight's best bet against the Seattle Kraken who have been struggling at home.

The San Jose Sharks play against the Seattle Kraken in an NHL game tonight. The matchup will begin at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV.

We know alternate captain Mikael Granlund is a leader on the San Jose Sharks. Today, he was given the same title for Team Finland, for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Granlund will join Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen of the Carolina Hurricanes as alternate captains.

It doesn't take advanced metrics to figure out Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer has struggled this season. His 3.83 goals-against average and .866 save percentage, career worsts in both categories,

NHL: San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund was named an assistant captain for Finland’s 4 Nations Face-Off team

Mikael Granlund swinging behind the Russia goal, heading for its right side. In the process, the center, then only 19 years old on May 13, 2011, put the puck on his blade and flung it behind Russia’s goalie, Konstantin Barulin. He scored.