SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson (65) skates on the ice throughout warmups earlier than their sport in opposition to the Detroit Redwings on the SAP Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
SAN JOSE – Defenseman Erik Karlsson’s upper-body harm will possible drive him to overlook the Sharks’ upcoming street journey in opposition to a number of the Japanese Convention’s high groups, coach Bob Boughner stated Monday.
Boughner stated Karlsson was going to see a physician later Monday to assist determine the following plan of action, including that it was too quickly to say whether or not surgical procedure could be wanted. Indications have been, although, that Karlsson wouldn't be accessible for the difficult string of 4 video games that begins Wednesday in Washington in opposition to the Capitals.
“I might say you’re most likely not going to see him on this street journey,” Boughner stated. “We’ll see how this appointment goes.
“We’re attempting to determine the fitting factor to do right here and we want, clearly, the medical recommendation and see what the fitting factor to do is.”
Karlsson didn't play in Saturday’s sport with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 7-1 Sharks loss. Boughner stated Karlsson’s upper-body harm is unrelated to the indirect pressure he had earlier this month.
After Wednesday, the Sharks have video games Saturday and Sunday in opposition to the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. The journey concludes subsequent Tuesday in opposition to the Lightning. All 4 groups entered Monday within the high eight within the NHL’s total standings.
After the sport in Tampa, the Sharks don't play once more till Feb. 14 at dwelling in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers, probably giving Karlsson extra time to heal with out lacking any extra video games.
The Sharks (21-19-2) entered Monday clinging to fourth place within the Pacific Division and the Western Convention’s second wild-card spot. Calgary, Dallas, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, every with a number of video games in hand, have been all inside 4 factors of the Sharks getting into Monday’s video games.
The Sharks are 1-3-1 of their final 5 video games, and their loss Saturday was their most lopsided of the season.
“It’s a wake-up name for everyone that we have to step up,” Boughner stated. “There hasn’t been many flat performances from this crew all yr. However primary, in opposition to one of the best groups, in case you don’t have that as your basis, (and) match (their) work ethic, then you definitely don’t give your self an opportunity and you may throw the X’s and O’s and the techniques out the door.”
Karlsson had been coping with this newest illness for a while as he had been given a handful of upkeep days earlier than he sat out Saturday. He entered that sport with 26 factors in 33 video games this season and is third amongst all Sharks skaters with a mean of simply over 23 minutes of ice time per sport.
The Sharks are 5-3-1 this season with out Karlsson within the lineup. He missed six video games from Oct. 30 to Nov. 11 for COVID-related causes and video games in opposition to Detroit and Philadelphia earlier this month due to his indirect pressure.
“Subsequent man up,” Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic stated about probably enjoying with out Karlsson once more. “We’ve had guys down with COVID, Karlsson’s been out throughout COVID, missed two video games with an harm, now he would possibly miss once more. So, the following man will step up.”
The provision of Jaycob Megna for Wednesday’s sport can also be in query after he blocked a shot in Saturday’s sport. X-rays on Megna have been unfavourable as he’s acquired remedy Sunday and Monday. Boughner stated the Sharks have been hopeful Megna could be OK to take part within the crew’s morning skate in Washington.
The Sharks have Nicolas Meloche accessible ought to both Karlsson or Megna not be prepared. Jake Middleton, who has been in concussion protocol for the final eight video games, skated early Monday morning and can be a part of the Sharks on the street journey, however isn’t anticipated to play Wednesday.
MEIER HONORED: Sharks winger Timo Meier was NHL’s Third Star of the Week on Monday after he led the league with six targets in three video games. Meier scored a team-record 5 targets within the Sharks’ 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings final Monday and adopted that with a power-play objective in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. That is the primary time Meier has been named an NHL Participant of the Week.
SIMEK A FATHER: Sharks defenseman Radim Simek was not at observe Monday as his spouse, Ann, gave start the day earlier than to a child lady, Melinda, who was 6.8 kilos. Simek will be a part of the Sharks for his or her flight to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday morning, Boughner stated.
OTHER LINEUP UPDATES: Jonah Gadjovich, injured for the final six video games, was a full participant in Monday’s observe and is predicted to be accessible Wednesday. Rudolfs Balcers will exit COVID protocol Tuesday and be a part of the Sharks for the flight to D.C.