Top things we learned Sunday at Sharks HQ

SAN JOSE — The Sharks could get at least one of their injured defensemen back at some point on the five-game, eight-day road trip that starts Tuesday in Buffalo against the Sabres.

Both Dalton Prout and Radim Simek took part in Sunday’s practice, a day after the Sharks lost 4-3 to the Sabres at SAP Center to conclude a 2-1-0 homestand. Prout, as of now, is closer to a return than Simek, Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said.

Prout was officially placed on injured reserve with  an upper body ailment Oct. 4, two days after he was hurt in the Sharks’ season-opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. Simek is still working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery in March, although he took a step forward in his recovery Sunday when he was involved in some contact drills along the boards.

“First contact, first time kind of in that situation and got through it, felt good,” DeBoer said of Simek. “That’s a good sign.”

After Tuesday, the Sharks play Thursday in Montreal, Friday in Toronto, next Sunday in Ottawa and Oct. 29 in Boston. The Sharks are 1-3-0  on the road so far this season.

When Prout is healthy, he could retake his spot as the Sharks’ third right shot defenseman behind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. In Saturday’s game, Tim Heed had  a career-low 6:16 of ice time, as he was benched for the third period.

“We could use those guys back,” DeBoer said of Prout and Simek. “I thought that physical presence that both him and Dalton Prout bring — ending plays in d-zone — we’ve missed that. I think we’ve been a little soft in that area.”

The Sharks, as of Sunday afternoon, were only carrying 21 players on the active roster — 13 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies, so call-ups are expected. DeBoer said Lukas Radil, who missed Saturday’s game with an illness, is still day-to-day.

The Sharks also have defenseman Jake Middleton (shoulder) on injured reserve, but his return is not expected for at least another three or four weeks. Middleton was hurt Oct. 4 against Vegas on a hit from Ryan Reaves.

Erik Karlsson trending up

Karlsson took a minus-3 Saturday night and had the turnover in his own end that led to the Sabres’ go-ahead goal by Zemgus Girgensons with 7:45 left in the third period.

Still, there were several moments of brilliance with his skating and the way he moved the puck, as he finished with two assists in a season-high 28:36 of ice time. Karlsson now has five assists in his last four games.

“I thought his game was good. I thought he was dynamic last night,” DeBoer said. “He made some great plays. Just  one of those games that the couple mistakes he made ended up in the net. When you ask a guy to handle the puck as much as (he and Brent Burns) do and make as many plays as they do, they’re going to make some mistakes with it. You’ve got to live with that.

“It might have been his best game of the year so far, which is a good sign, because I think he’s been getting better every night out ”

Noah Gregor’s debut

Noah Gregor was back on the Sharks’ second line with Evander Kane and Tomas Hertl for Sunday’s practice, the same line he was on in the third period of Saturday’s game.

In his NHL debut, Gregor began the game against Buffalo on the fourth line with Dylan Gambrell and Melker Karlsson. He didn’t have a shift in the second period with the Sharks spending so much time on special teams.

But when the third period began, Gregor was playing with Kane and Hertl at even strength. That line was out there for Jeff Skinner’s goal at the 2:28 mark of the third, but also created a few chances.

“When I was put there, I was trying to use my speed, get in on the forecheck,” Gregor said. “I thought I made some decent plays on the wall to my (linemates). I thought it went alright.”

“I liked his speed, I liked his energy,” DeBoer said. “I thought we were getting a little frustrated around the net. We scored one goal at the end of two periods, so we shuffled all the lines and moved him up. I thought he did a good job.”