SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: San Jose Sharks’ Alexander Barabanov (94) skates on the ice earlier than a face-off towards the Arizona Coyotes within the third interval on the SAP Heart in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, April 26, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Winger Alexander Barabanov examined optimistic for COVID-19 on Wednesday, coach Bob Boughner mentioned, however one other Sharks ahead is able to rejoin their top-six ahead group.
Rudolfs Balcers, who had missed the final six weeks with a lower-body harm, was as soon as once more a full participant in Wednesday’s observe and mentioned he can be accessible to play Thursday when the Sharks host the New York Rangers at SAP Heart.
Balcers has not dressed for a sport because the final time the Sharks performed the Rangers on Dec. 3 at Madison Sq. Backyard. However his return might assist soften the lack of Barabanov, who has been on one of many Sharks’ prime two ahead traces because the begin of the season.
Barabanov, 27, is sixth on the Sharks with 20 factors in 32 video games. He’s additionally fifth amongst all Sharks forwards in ice time, averaging 16:49 per sport.
Barabanov, now within the NHL’s COVID protocol, might miss the remainder of the workforce’s homestand, which concludes Monday afternoon. Boughner indicated, although, that Balcers will take Barabanov’s spot on the Tomas Hertl line with Timo Meier, though he must guard towards placing an excessive amount of on his plate instantly.
“We’re simply attempting to suit guys in numerous positions daily when one thing else occurs,” Boughner mentioned. “I believe it’s an excellent place for him to begin. They need to have numerous puck possession. Tommy and Timo are taking part in properly.
“We’re going to have to attend and see how we are able to sustain with that ice time. There could be some modifications all through the sport as a result of (Hertl’s) line has been taking part in lots. Nevertheless it’s a great spot for him to begin for positive.”
Balcers, who had 10 factors in 24 video games and was averaging just below 16 minutes of ice time per sport earlier than he was injured, skated with Hertl and Meier in Wednesday’s observe.
“No matter place I get put in, I’m simply going to go on the market and really feel the sport once more tomorrow,” Balcers mentioned. “We’ll see tomorrow night time.”
Sharks middle Nick Bonino, assistant coach John MacLean and video coach Dan Darrow are all in COVID protocol. Bonino and MacLean have been in isolation in Philadelphia since Saturday and it was not instantly clear after they can be returning to San Jose. Darrow entered protocol on Sunday, a workforce spokesman mentioned, and is isolating in San Jose.
The Sharks have received three straight to maneuver right into a tie for third place within the Pacific Division, however are getting into one other troublesome portion of their schedule. Eight of San Jose’s subsequent 9 video games earlier than the NHL all-star break are towards groups that entered Wednesday in a playoff place.
The Rangers had been tied for first place within the Metropolitan Division, and Saturday’s Sharks opponent, the Pittsburgh Penguins, held the highest wild-card spot within the Jap Convention.
The Sharks end the homestand Monday afternoon towards the Los Angeles Kings, then play 5 of the next six video games from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1 on the street.
That almost two-week stretch options two video games with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, and one every towards the Seattle Kraken, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes. Whereas the Kraken are in final place within the Pacific Division, the Capitals, Panthers, and Hurricanes had been seventh, first, and third within the NHL’s general standings getting into Wednesday.
REIMER’S STATUS: Goalie James Reimer, who has not performed since Jan. 4 with what has been described as a lower-body ailment, was on the ice once more Wednesday mentioned he would possibly be capable of return to the lineup in a couple of days.
Reimer was arguably the Sharks’ most dear participant up till the Christmas break as he had a 9-5-1 report and a .936 save share in 16 video games. Within the 4 video games after Christmas, although, Reimer was 2-2-0 with a .830 save share.
“I simply had some well being stuff form of flare up over the Christmas break,” Reimer mentioned Wednesday. “I attempted to battle via it for a few video games, but it surely simply wasn’t understanding. So, simply take a while to let it heal and form of get again on my ft.”
Reimer was positioned on injured reserve Tuesday however will be activated by the Sharks at any time. Reimer mentioned it’ll be “a few days” earlier than he’s again to regular, however that he’s “trending in the best route.”
SIMEK’S STATUS: Boughner mentioned Radim Simek (decrease physique) can be accessible to play Thursday however wasn’t positive if he needed to tamper with this protection corps, which he felt performed properly within the Sharks’ 3-2 extra time win over the Detroit Pink Wings on Tuesday.
“We had been tight within the (defensive) zone, we didn’t give them a lot, we had been five-men related, we had good breakouts,” Boughner mentioned. “There have been numerous good issues.”
The Sharks had Jaycob Megna paired with Erik Karlsson, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic was with rookie Ryan Merkley. Megna had shut to twenty minutes of ice time and Merkley was near the 15-minute mark.
“I actually favored the best way our again finish performed,” Boughner mentioned. “I believed Megna and Merkley each performed properly. It’s a contest each night time, so I’m undecided what I’m going to do on that again finish, however I imagine (Simek) can be accessible. I suppose that’s an excellent downside for a coach.”