Zenon Konopka is helping the San Jose Sharks with faceoffs again.<\/p>\n
Konopka, in nine years with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, and Buffalo Sabres from 2005 to 2014, boasted a career 59.6 Faceoff Winning %.<\/p>\n
Konopka previously helped the Sharks in training camp with faceoffs, and is on the ice with them this week. He\u2019s also working with the Washington Capitals as a faceoff consultant.<\/p>\n
Dellandrea, who leads San Jose with a 51.6 Faceoff Winning %, says Konopka is currently part of a team with assistant coach Jeff Ulmer and development coach Mike Ricci who work on faceoffs with the team\u2019s forwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just little details, right?\u201d Dellandrea said. \u201cWhether it be timing or getting your nose over the dot or coming underneath or over top, or a bunch of different strategies and technique.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Konopka add to the team?<\/p>\n
\u201cDifferent counter moves for different situations, because everyone takes them so differently. I think he\u2019s just got a good feel based on how good he was himself,\u201d Dellandrea said.<\/p>\n
Apparently, Konopka has watched recent San Jose Sharks games, to prep himself for this short-term assignment. Take for example, the Calgary Flames\u2019 Morgan Frost, who the Sharks just saw on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very unique guy when it comes to taking faceoffs,\u201d Dellandrea said. \u201cHis hand\u2019s super-low, like almost touching the blade of a stick. So doesn\u2019t leave you a lot of room to get in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the counter? Dellandrea didn\u2019t share these trade secrets, but that\u2019s why Konopka is consulting: \u201cWhen you see him again, or a guy like him, something [I] can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Jose Sharks (17-14-3)<\/p>\n
Per the Mercury News and Sharks Hockey Digest, Alex Nedeljkovic will start, while Adam Gaudette will draw in for Jeff Skinner. Ty Dellandrea was questionable yesterday, but he\u2019s in the line-up.<\/p>\n
My best guess for tonight\u2019s lines:<\/p>\n
Graf-Celebrini-Chernyshov
Eklund-Wennberg-Toffoli
Gaudette-Dellandrea-Cardwell
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Reaves<\/p>\n
Orlov-Klingberg
Ferraro-Liljegren
Mukhamadullin-Iorio<\/p>\n
Nedeljkovic<\/p>\n
Dallas Stars (22-7-5)<\/p>\n
\nOettinger in goal<\/p>\n
No other changes.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) December 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n