Sharks Adjust Forward Lines; William Eklund Absent From Practice
San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky tweaked his forward lines during practice in Chicago.
Stan Szeto-Imagn Images - Sharks Adjust Forward Lines; William Eklund Absent From PracticeSan Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky tweaked his forward lines during practice in Chicago.
William Eklund was missing from practice. Will Smith was dropped to the third-line center role, with Luke Kunin and Barclay Goodrow as his wingers.
Smith has yet to score his first NHL point in three games. He's been skating on the second line and powerplay unit but hasn't seen much ice time late in games. The rookie played just 10:10 against a tough Dallas Stars team last night. He did not get an overtime shift but was chosen as the first skater for the shootout.
UPDATE: According to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, Eklund was missing from practice due to an upper-body injury.
"San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky shared that Eklund has a “little nagging” upper-body injury and is “probably a game-time decision” for Thursday’s tilt against the Chicago Blackhawks," Peng wrote.
Danil Gushchin, a healthy scratch for the past two games, skated in his spot on the top line with Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli.
Eklund played 21:45 against the Stars, the sixth-most on the team and second-most amongst the forwards.
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