Blackwood had a perfect game going, saving all 13 shots he faced, but exited late in the first period on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury in an eventual 7-2 loss to his former club, the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks should provide an update on Blackwood's status ahead of their next game on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
Blackwood will return to the crease on Tuesday night when the Sharks host the New Jersey Devils. Blackwood's season-best four-game winning streak concluded in his last outing when he allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Afanasyev was recalled earlier this month but was a healthy scratch in five of seven games. Afanasyev was the 45th overall pick of the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was enjoying a terrific season at the AHL level, scoring 42 points (21G / 21A) in 42 games.
Blackwood will likely return to the crease on Tuesday night when the Sharks host the New Jersey Devils. Blackwood's season-best four-game winning streak concluded in his last outing when he allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Smith has been out since December 21st due to a lower-body injury but could return to the Sharks' lineup on Saturday after being activated off Injured Reserve earlier this week. The 25-year-old bruising right winger will provide some much-needed grit into the Sharks' lineup with his one goal, two assists, 27 SOG, 33 PIM and -4 plus/minus through 26 games before the injury.
Kunin played in the Sharks last game but is dealing with an undisclosed ailment, making his status uncertain for Saturday's game against the Nashville Predators. The bruising forward has been held off the scoresheet in 12 of his last 13 games.
Smith has been out since December 21st due to a lower-body injury but is expected to return to the Sharks' lineup on Saturday after being activated off Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The 25-year-old bruising right winger will provide some much-needed grit into the Sharks' lineup with his one goal, two assists, 27 SOG, 33 PIM and -4 plus/minus through 26 games before the injury.
Vanecek was excellent in a losing effort in his last outing, allowing one goal on 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes but was surprisingly sidelined after with a lower-body injury. Nico Daws has started each game in Vanecek's absence and has done an admirable job filling in between the pipes.
Couture's season to forget earned another chapter last Monday as the center experienced a setback related to his minor groin injury and is now expected to be out week-to-week. The 34-year-old has only been able to appear in six games for the Sharks this season and has an assist, seven SOG, and four PIMs. He will be on Injured Reserve indefinitely.
Thrun has not played since January 23rd due to a shoulder injury, missing the last six games. The 22-year-old Thrun has three points (1G / 2A), 28 shots, and 39 blocks in 23 games this season.
Blackwood will return to the crease for the Sharks on Monday after having the night off on Saturday. The 27-year-old Blackwood is quietly amid an impressive four-game winning streak, allowing three or fewer goals in each and posting a stellar .939 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +236 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Blackwood will return to the crease on Thursday night, his first game since January 30th. The 27-year-old Blackwood has quietly won his last three games, his best streak of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest while posting a stellar .948 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +275 road underdogs against the Calgary Flames, winners of four of their last five (4-1-0).
Grundstrom played only 3:43 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 7-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Grundstrom had one point (1G / 0A), eight shots, and 13 hits in his last three games.