Sharks’ Boughner gives timeline for Karlsson’s return

SAN JOSE — Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, now a month removed from forearm surgery, could be available to play again in about two weeks or slightly more, coach Bob Boughner said Wednesday.

Karlsson underwent surgery to repair a small tear in his left forearm on Jan. 24 and the initial indication from the Sharks was that he would just be reevaluated in mid-March. However, Karlsson’s recovery has been quicker than expected, and it appears he could be back in the lineup sometime during the second week of March.

“We’re hoping we see him back, I think he’s in the two-week window right now,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “That’s give or take a few days. That’s sort of what we’ve talked to the trainers about, but he’s somewhere in that two-week window, we hope.”

Karlsson skated for the second straight day Wednesday as he took part in the Sharks’ optional practice at Sharks Ice. He joined about 10 other teammates in doing drills for about half an hour, as he did some passing and stickhandling.

“He’s not really shooting the puck or anything like that,” Boughner said, “but he’s getting better every day.”

Since Karlsson’s last game on Jan. 20, the Sharks have gone 1-44 and entered Wednesday nine points out of a playoff spot. The Sharks have scored just 20 goals in those nine games, for a leagueworst average of 2.22 goals per game.

The Sharks start a three-game homestand Thursday against the New York Islanders, followed by games Saturday and Sunday against the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken, respectively.

The Sharks then play five games from March 1-12, and have a home game against Joe Thornton and the Florida Panthers on March 15.

Karlsson, 31, has 26 points in 33

games this season.

Adin Hill’s status: Boughner said goalie Adin Hill, out with a lower body injury, is feeling good but likely won’t be available to play in either of the Sharks’ games this weekend, raising the possibility that Zach Sawchenko could make his first career NHL start.

Hill was on the ice Tuesday and is improving to the point where he could take part in the Sharks’ morning skate at SAP Center on Thursday. But Boughner said there’s only a “very minimal, outside chance” he could start against either the Bruins or Kraken.

Hill has not played since he came on in relief of James Reimer on Jan. 22 in a 7-1 Sharks loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Reimer has made nine straight starts for the Sharks and has a .899 save percentage. He stopped 26 of 29 shots in the Sharks’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.