Sharks Couture had 2 face fractures

SAN JOSE >> San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture played in the postseason despite two fractures in his face along with the plastic and wiring in his mouth that kept his teeth in place.

Couture revealed more details of the injuries sustained when a deflected slap shot from teammate Brent Burns hit him in the mouth in Nashville on March 25.

He said he had one fracture that went from his upper lip to the nose area that is still very sore and will take about six weeks to completely heal. The other fracture is below his bottom row of teeth.

“They’re not fun,” he said Tuesday. “It’s not extreme pain right now. Obviously it’s bearable to get by on a day-to-day basis. It’s still a struggle to eat and sleep and some of that stuff. It’s not comfortable. It’s an uncomfortable state to be in.”

Couture said he will meet with his dentist soon to figure out the next steps in recovery. He will need implants to get the teeth fixed and hopes to get that work done in the next few weeks so he can return home to Canada after that.

Wild’s Staal has concussion

ST. PAUL, MINN. >> Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal has a concussion from his headfirst crash into the boards.

Fortunately, the dangerous collision didn’t damage him further than that.

Staal looked well when he spoke to reporters, though general manager Chuck Fletcher said Staal would’ve been out a while had the Wild stayed alive in the playoffs.