Sharks’ Reedy was rushed into lineup, and has played every game since
SAN JOSE — On Feb. 27, Scott Reedy was suddenly called into action for a Sharks game against the Seattle Kraken. In just a couple of hours, he went from relaxing at home on a Barracuda off day to the ice surface at SAP Center for an NHL game.
A little more than seven weeks later, Reedy, thanks to his work ethic and versatility, still hasn’t come out of the Sharks’ lineup.
Reedy scored his first NHL goal that night against the Kraken and had his first two-goal game Tuesday in the Sharks’ 3-2 home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, a victory that snapped San Jose’s 10-game losing streak.
“I think I’ve progressed and gotten better through every fivegame stretch, doing some little things well and just really finding my game,” Reedy said.
Reedy, in his first professional season, will likely dress in his 25th consecutive game Thursday when the Sharks host the playoffbound St. Louis Blues. His five goals, starting with that Feb. 27 game, are actually tied for fourthmost on the team in that time.
“Fairly or unfairly, we’ve switched him from center to right wing and back to center a few times, and he’s found a home on the right wing there,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said of Reedy after Tuesday’s game. “The offensive upside that he has, for a team that struggles to score, you want to keep developing these guys that have a touch around the net. You saw that touch tonight.”
Both of Reedy’s goals Tuesday came around the Blue Jackets’ crease as he capitalized on rebounds after pucks were put on goal.
“I think I got a little bit away from playing around the net, just trying to play a little bit too much on the perimeter,” Reedy said. “So it’s just about getting back to my spots and trying to play to my identity.”
That’s more or less Reedy’s calling card, using his hands and his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame to create space and chances for himself around the blue paint. In 55 games with the Barracuda, Reedy had 23 goals and 35 points in 55 games.
“(Reedy’s) pretty good in front of the net. I think that’s pretty evident,” said Sharks forward Sasha Chmelevksi, who made a nice play to assist on Reedy’s second goal. “Especially with the ‘Cuda, he had so many goals where he was standing there in front of the net and being ready for all the screens, shots and tips.
“That’s the part of this game that’s really strong.”
The Sharks are already looking ahead to next season when they’ll need to get more offensive production from their bottom-six forward group.
In the last two games, the Sharks’ third line of Thomas Bordeleau, Noah Gregor and Rudolfs Balcers has shown some promise, accounting for three goals.
But Reedy, Chmelevski and Jasper Weatherby could also be a trio to watch in the Sharks’ final six games if they happen to stay together, and will no doubt be in the conversation for depth forward roles next season.
“I like what that young kid line is giving us,” Boughner said. “They made some mistakes last night, but they also had some good momentum shifts for us and scored a goal. I think they feel comfortable playing together. It’s just enforcing those good habits again.
“I see Reedy’s game already from when he got here to now, it’s steadily getting better. He works at it, he tries to get better every day. So I’ve got a lot of time for him.”
INJURY UPDATES: Defenseman Radim Simek and forward Alexander Barabanov, both injured last Thursday in Chicago, skated Wednesday morning. Barabanov is ahead of Simek in his recovery and could be an option to play against the Blues, but Boughner said the Sharks might choose to give him more time to get healthy.
Boughner said Erik Karlsson remains day-to-day with a lowerbody injury as he does his rehab at the Sharks’ practice facility. It is unclear, though, if Karlsson will be able to play again before the end of the season on April 29.
“They’re just taking time with him and he’s just going to make sure that he gets to a spot where he can be able to go and skate first and feel good,” Boughner said of Karlsson.