Preview/Lines #80: Cagnoni Will Quarterback Top Power Play Unit, What’s Gone Wrong on PK

TL;DR

Luca Cagnoni has been recalled to join the San Jose Sharks' top power play unit after leading the AHL's second-best power play with the Barracuda. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky praised Cagnoni's ability to read and manipulate penalty kills.

NASHVILLE — Luca Cagnoni will be on the San Jose Sharks’ top power play unit on Monday.

The 21-year-old defenseman, officially recalled on Sunday, has led the San Jose Barracuda PP to much success over the last two years. Last season, the Cuda power play was the best in the AHL, this year, the second-best.

“He’s distributes the puck really well. He reads penalty kills,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said of Cagnoni’s power play acumen. “One of his best attributes is to manipulate penalty kills.”

Warsofsky didn’t share Cagnoni’s defensive partner tonight, but did say that Nick Leddy would be scratched in favor of Cagnoni.

What’s he looking for overall from Cagnoni?

“Play towards his strengths,” Warsofsky said. “Move pucks, help on the offensive blueline a little bit. Get some shots through and play his game.”

“Just play the right way,” Cagnoni said of how he wants to close this season. “Go out there, work hard, show them what I can do offensively and just play some smart hockey.”

San Jose Sharks (37-34-8)

Alex Nedeljkovic starts.

Warsofsky says the Sharks are running the same forward lines as last game:

Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith
Eklund-Wennberg-Sherwood
Graf-Misa-Toffoli
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Gaudette

Cagnoni will come in for Leddy on defense, pairings revealed during warm-ups.

Here’s how the Sharks ran their power plays this morning…

PP1: Cagnoni-Celebrini-Smith-Toffoli-Kurashev (filling in for Alex Wennberg on a maintenance day)
PP2: Orlov-Eklund-Chernyshov-Sherwood-Misa

Collin Graf and Vinny Desharnais spoke on the struggling penalty kill, coming shortly.

Tonight’s scratches appear to be Leddy, Philipp Kurashev, Pavol Regenda, Ty Dellandrea, and John Klingberg.

Nashville Predators (38-32-10)

Where To Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators is at 5 PM PT at Bridgestone Arena. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.

The post Preview/Lines #80: Cagnoni Will Quarterback Top Power Play Unit, What’s Gone Wrong on PK appeared first on San Jose Hockey Now.

Q&A

What impact did Luca Cagnoni have on the AHL power play?

Luca Cagnoni led the San Jose Barracuda to the best power play in the AHL last season and the second-best this year.

Why was Nick Leddy scratched from the lineup?

Nick Leddy was scratched to make room for Luca Cagnoni on the top power play unit.

What are Luca Cagnoni's strengths on the power play?

Cagnoni is known for his excellent puck distribution and ability to read and manipulate opposing penalty kills.