Sharks without key forward for game vs. Golden Knights
SAN JOSE – Forward William Eklund and defenseman Jake Walman will be out of the lineup with injuries Friday when the San Jose Sharks host the Vegas Golden Knights in the first game back after the Christmas break for both teams.
Both Eklund (upper body) and Walman (lower body) are considered day-to-day, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said.
Eklund missed the final two periods of the Sharks’ game against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday after he was leveled by a hit from defenseman Tyler Myers in the first period.
Eklund quickly got up from the hit, scored his seventh goal of the season on a Sharks power play for a 1-0 lead at the 11:36 mark, and finished the period. But Eklund did not come out for the second and was ruled out for the remainder of the game by the start of the third.
Eklund is second on the Sharks with 27 points in 36 games. He is tied for second on the team with 20 assists and is averaging 19:42 in ice time per game.
Asked if he’s concerned that Eklund’s injury might linger for a while, Warsofsky said, “I wouldn’t say we’re super concerned. I think he’s taking some positive steps. Three days here to have a little recovery, and we’ll see how he is (Saturday).”
With Eklund out of the game, the Sharks allowed three goals in 70 seconds in the second period against the Canucks and lost 4-3 for their fifth straight defeat.
Walman sat out Monday’s game at Rogers Arena. Warsofsky said Walman was injured during Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Sharks host the Vegas Golden Knights tonight in Tomas Hertl’s first game at SAP Center since San Jose traded him to the Pacific Division rival in March.
Against the Oilers, Walman finished with 25:51 of ice time in that game and assisted on Jan Rutta’s first-period goal, but was also on the ice for the last two Edmonton goals, as the Oilers scored late in the third period and 18 seconds into overtime to earn a 3-2 win.
Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in June for future considerations, Walman leads all Sharks defensemen with 25 points, including 20 assists, is a significant presence on both the power play and penalty kill, and leads all team skaters in average time on ice (22:50).
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