Sharks’ top-scoring defenseman to miss game vs. Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Defenseman Jake Walman has a lower-body injury and will be out of the lineup Monday night when the San Jose Sharks face the Vancouver Canucks in the last game before the Christmas break for both teams.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Walman is now considered day-to-day after being injured during the team’s game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Walman finished with 25:51 of ice time in that game and assisted on Jan Rutta’s first-period goal, but was also on the ice for the last two Edmonton goals, as the Oilers scored late in the third period and 18 seconds into overtime to earn a 3-2 win.

“We’ll see how the next few days go, but he’s day-to-day,” Warsofsky said of Walman.

The loss of Walman is a considerable one for the Sharks, who have lost four straight games and seven of their last eight.

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in June for future considerations, Walman leads all Sharks defensemen with 25 points, including 20 assists, is a significant presence on both the power play and penalty kill, and leads all team skaters in average time on ice (22:50).

After Monday, the Sharks have three days off before they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday and the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

“Can break out pucks, is obviously a really good skater, can get out of our own end, defends with a purpose, helps on our power play,” Warsofsky said of Walman. “So we need some guys to step up tonight.”

Henry Thrun will take Walman’s spot on the left side of the Sharks’ top defense pair alongside Cody Ceci, at least to start the game.

Thrun was a healthy scratch for recent Sharks games against St. Louis, Utah, and Winnipeg but dressed for the last two games, at home against Colorado and in Edmonton, in a third-pair capacity.

“I thought he put his two best games together here as of late,” Warsofsky said of Thrun. “So he’ll get the first crack at that spot with cease, and we’ll go from there.”

Thrun averaged 14:37 in ice time in those games against Colorado and Edmonton but will have an opportunity to take on a bigger load on Monday, like he did last season when he averaged 20 minutes per game. In 29 games this season, Thrun has eight points, all assists, and averages 15:58 per game.

“Obviously, my goal is to be a guy that can play in the top four and play against first and second lines,” Thrun said Monday. “Looking forward to it. I’m playing good hockey right now, and Cody’s someone I feel comfortable playing with.”

The Sharks are starting goalie Yaroslav Askarov for the second straight game after he made 41 saves in a brilliant performance against the Oilers. Askarov is 1-0-2 with the Sharks this season, carrying a .928 save percentage and a 2.20 goals-against average.

Warsofsky is also shaking up his forward lines, most notably moving Mikael Granlund to the wing on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli. Granlund has been a centerman for most of this season, but the Sharks are searching to boost an offense that has scored just 20 goals in its last nine games, including 15 at even-strength.

“Our defense and our coverage needs to be a little bit better, but we also have to drive some offense, so that was kind of the reason behind moving (Granlund) to the wing,” Warsofsky said. “Get someone to play with Macklin there a little bit.”

Granlund should also help the 200-foot game of the Sharks’ top line, as they face a Canucks offense that is 12th in the NHL in average goals per game (3.12) this season. The Sharks are 2-9-4 against the Canucks since the start of the 2019-2020 season, with their last win in Vancouver coming on Feb. 10, 2019.

“Mack can really make some plays,” Granlund said. “Obviously, I can try to help with that and play some good hockey, and (Toffoli’s) a really smart player. He’s going to find those scoring areas. Just have to defend hard and we’re going to get our chances offensively.”

With Granlund moving to Celebrini’s wing, Nikolai Kovalenko will play on a line with Luke Kunin at center and Fabian Zetterlund on the right wing. The second line featured Alexander Wennberg at center and William Eklund and Will Smith on the wings.

The Sharks also had Nico Sturm, Ty Dellandrea and Barclay Goodrow on the fourth line, meaning Carl Grundstrom will be a scratch.

KOSTIN’S STATUS: Sharks forward Klim Kostin was optimistic earlier this week that he could come off injured reserve and be available to play against the Canucks. Kostin skated again Monday morning, but his upper body injury will get at least three more days to rest and heal.

“I think it was close today, but not there yet,” Warsofsky said of Kostin coming off IR. “So we’ll circle back after the break.”

Kostin was injured in the Sharks’ game in St. Louis on Dec. 12 as he hit Blues forward Brayden Schenn and got into a skirmish with Dylan Holloway. Schenn had just dished out big hits on Granlund and defenseman Mario Ferraro.

Before his injury, Kostin had dressed for 13 of the last 14 games and played some of his best hockey of the season, as he had with four points in eight games to finish November.