Preview: Sharks at Flyers

SHARKS (33-18-4) at FLYERS (26-22-7)
1 p.m. ET; NHLN, CSN-PH, CSN-CA, NHL.TV

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Sharks team scope

The Sharks, who have lost three games in a row, recalled forward Kevin Labanc and defenseman Tim Heed from San Jose of the American Hockey League on Friday and could have both in the lineup. Forward Ryan Carpenter and defenseman Joakim Ryan were sent to the AHL. Carpenter's departure means Tomas Hertl could return to center, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Hertl has been at left wing on a line with center Joe Thornton and right wing Joe Pavelski the past six games since returning from a knee injury, and has one goal and three assists there. Labanc likely would take Hertl's spot on the top line. The Sharks also could leave Hertl where he is and insert Labanc on the fourth line with center Micheal Haley and right wing Melker Karlsson.

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Flyers team scope

The Philadelphia Flyers could have three new forward lines against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. At practice Friday, Brayden Schenn was moved to first-line left wing with center Claude Giroux and right wing Wayne Simmonds. Jordan Weal, recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Friday, was at left wing on the second line with center Sean Couturier and right wing Jakub Voracek. The third line had Nick Cousins between left wing Michael Raffl and right wing Matt Read. Weal is second in the AHL with 47 points in 43 games. He's played most of the season at center but said he doesn't mind moving to the wing. "When you get to play with a guy like [Couturier] and a guy like [Voracek] it makes it easier out there," he said. "Just got to go out there and get open for them, play my game and make some plays." Giroux hopes the line changes provide some motivation. "It's really frustrating," he said. "We're battling hard. We're trying different stuff to create scoring chances. We can blame it on anything but excuses can only go on so long. Need to bear down, find a way and be better, bottom line."

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Sharks projected lineup

Tomas Hertl -- Joe Thornton -- Joe Pavelski
Patrick Marleau -- Logan Couture -- Mikkel Boedker
Timo Meier -- Chris Tierney -- Joel Ward
Marcus Sorensen -- Micheal Haley -- Melker Karlsson
Paul Martin -- Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon -- David Schlemko
Aaron Dell
Martin Jones
Scratched: Kevin Labanc, Tim Heed
Injured: Joonas Donskoi (upper body)

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Flyers projected lineup

Brayden Schenn -- Claude Giroux -- Wayne Simmonds
Jordan Weal -- Sean Couturier -- Jakub Voracek
Michael Raffl -- Nick Cousins -- Matt Read
Chris VandeVelde -- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare -- Roman Lyubimov
Ivan Provorov -- Andrew MacDonald
Mark Streit -- Shayne Gostisbehere
Brandon Manning -- Radko Gudas
Michal Neuvirth
Steve Mason
Scratched: Nick Schultz, Dale Weise
Injured: Michael Del Zotto (lower body), Travis Konecny (lower body)

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Status report

Weal was recalled after Konecny was placed on injured reserve. He is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

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Who's hot

Burns has seven goals and 15 assists in his past 17 games. ... Simmonds' power-play goal in a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday was his 11th of the season, tied for second in the League with Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Mike Hoffman of the Ottawa Senators. Schenn has 12.