The 4 Nations Face-Off features most of the best players from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland, and gives stars like Connor McDavid, San Ramon-born Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mikko Rantanen a chance to play in this type of event for the first time in their professional careers.

The Stars are playing the second night of a back-to-back following an emotional shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini has seven points (4-3—7) in his last seven games. Entering play Friday, Celebrini leads NHL rookies in goals (17) while ranking second in assists (22) and points (39). Celebrini is San Jose's leading scorer at home with 22 points (14-8—22) while playing in 23 of the teams 28 home games this season.

The San Jose Sharks have prime opportunities to grow their rookie’s skill and depth as well as better the team in the end. Even though the team will miss out on playoffs for the sixth year in a row, they can use this time to focus more on skill development.

Few NHL teams need some time away from the rink more than the San Jose Sharks. In their last game before the league pauses its schedule to hold the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Sharks gave up three goals in a lopsided first period.