SAN JOSE – Middle Nico Sturm can be a game-time choice Saturday when San Jose Sharks play the New Jersey Devils at SAP Middle, however ahead William Eklund is near a return after lacking the final week with an upper-body harm.
Sturm was injured late within the first interval of Thursday’s recreation towards Tampa Bay when he blocked a shot from Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh. Sturm crumpled to the ice however made his approach to the bench and remained there for a couple of moments in apparent discomfort earlier than he retreated to the Sharks’ dressing room.
Sturm returned for the beginning of the second interval and completed with 8:02 in ice time because the Sharks earned a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay to snap an eight-game dropping streak. However Sturm didn’t skate Friday morning and is taken into account questionable to play towards the Devils.
Though he hasn’t been used on the penalty kill as a lot as final season, Sturm, the Sharks’ fourth-line middle, is fifth on the Sharks in faceoffs taken this season (186) and first in faceoff proportion (61.8). He has 9 factors in 36 video games, on tempo to higher the 13 factors he had in 63 video games final yr.
If Sturm can’t play, Barclay Goodrow may slide from the wing to middle.
“He’s playing well right now. I think he’s playing some of his best hockey,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky stated of Sturm. “So if he can’t go, it’ll be a tough loss. But we’ve got some guys that can slide into the middle that have been there and done it before, so kind of everything’s a little bit up in the air right now.”
Eklund was injured within the Sharks’ Dec. 23 recreation in Vancouver as he absorbed a giant hit from Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers. Eklund has missed the final 4 video games however skated once more Friday morning, together with his availability decided nearer to Saturday’s 1 p.m. recreation time.
Eklund, who’s on injured reserve, stays tied for second in factors on the Sharks with 27 in 36 video games. If the Sharks want to activate him, they need to first create a roster opening, as they’re on the 23-man limi proper now.
Different Sharks gamers who stayed off the ice Friday included defenseman Cody Ceci and forwards Alexander Wennberg and Mikael Granlund. Warsofsky stated these three “should be ready for tomorrow,” with Sturm being the largest recreation time choice.
Carl Grundstrom, positioned on IR on Thursday with an higher physique harm, skated Friday morning. He’s eligible to be activated Sunday.
WALMAN UPDATE: Sharks defenseman Jake Walman, who has missed 5 straight video games with a decrease physique harm, skated for the second straight day earlier than Friday’s follow.
“So, hopefully, (he’s) moving in the right direction,” Warsofsky stated.
Walman leads all Sharks defensemen with 25 factors in 31 video games. The Sharks have been in an offensive malaise for many of December, averaging 2.08 targets in 13 video games, second-fewest within the NHL, and with out Walman, have scored simply 9 targets, together with seven at even energy.
