Sharks get good news on Meier after `scary moment'
The Sharks appear to have dodged a bullet as it relates to the health of Timo Meier.
Sharks coach Bob Boughner said Wednesday that tests on Meier did not show any structural damage to his knee that was injured the night before in the team's 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames.
Although Meier did not take part in the Sharks' optional practice in Edmonton on Wednesday, Boughner indicated he believed Meier would likely be available to play against the Oilers today as San Jose (28-278) finishes its two-game trip through Alberta.
“It just was more of a nerve thing,” Boughner said. “He's walking around today, not going on the ice, but I expect him to be available.”
Meier was injured with less than seven minutes to go in the third period after a collision along the end boards with Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Meier skated away from the check but had trouble putting weight on his left leg as he left the ice and later the Sharks bench.
“I didn't like the way it looked, the way he hobbled off the ice and off the bench and left the game. That was a scary moment,” Boughner said. “Obviously, he's our offensive leader and for a team that struggles sometimes to find some offense, that would have been a major blow. So fingers crossed that he'll be fine to play tomorrow.”
Meier scored his teamleading 27th goal of the season Tuesday, part of a dominant performance by the Sharks top line with Alexander Barabanov, who also scored, and Tomas Hertl. The three players combined for 11 shots on goal and per Natural Stat Trick, outchanced the Flames 12-5 during 5-on-5 play.
Meier had been on Logan Couture's line in recent games as the Sharks tried to create some offensive balance in their top-six forward group. But it didn't take long for Meier to rediscover some chemistry with Hertl and Barabanov.
“They have some poise with the puck,” Boughner said of the line. “There's a little bit of everything on that line. Timo's that power forward with the heavy shot; Tommy plays heavy as well and is probably one of the better guys in the league at protecting pucks and using his body down low. And Barabanov is a good playmaker, highend skill and high-end energy.”
SHARKS DEBUT
Boughner confirmed that newly acquired goalie Kaapo Kahkonen will start today and make his Sharks debut. Kahkonen came to the Sharks in Monday's trade that sent defenseman Jake Middleton to the Minnesota Wild.
Boughner said there was a temptation to go back to James Reimer after he made 28 saves, including a handful of the spectacular variety, on Tuesday.
Reimer stopped a penalty shot by Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau in the second period when Calgary was leading 3-1, giving the Sharks a chance to come back.
Meier scored later in the second period to cut the deficit to one, and Barabanov and Couture scored 28 seconds apart in the third period to give the Sharks a lead. Reimer made three saves in the final 38 seconds to preserve San Jose's victory.
Now that Kahkonen is in the fold, Boughner wants to reduce Reimer's workload. Reimer has already played 38 games this season and the Sharks have 19 regularseason games remaining. Reimer has never played more than 44 games in one season.
After today, the Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
“We want to make sure that we finally can get into a situation where we have two guys we can play,” Boughner said, “and we can let Reimer stay healthy and have great energy and be able to give us performances like he did (Tuesday) night.
“We expect the same performance from Kaapo. We're playing another good team here, one of the better offensive teams in the league, and goaltending is going to have to be an important part of that recipe as well.”
NOTES
Boughner said he'll likely keep Sasha Chmelevski on Couture's line with Noah Gregor for at least the start of today's game. Chmelevski started Tuesday's game as the fourth-line center but was later moved up, and that line with Gregor and Couture out-chanced the Flames 5-0 during 5-on-5 play.
With Chmelevski going up, Scott Reedy will center the fourth line with Jeffrey Viel and Jonah Gadjovich on the wings. The Sharks recalled forward Lane Pederson from the Barracuda in case Meier can't play.