ERIK KARLSSON OUT UNTIL MARCH

The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that defenseman Erik Karlsson had successfully undergone surgery to repair a muscle tear in his left forearm. The Sharks announced that he will be reassessed in Mid-March. Bob Boughner briefly mentioned to the media on Wednesday morning that it could be towards the end of March, but remains hopeful that Karlsson can return earlier stating that Erik is a "quick healer".

Karlsson has missed games due to injuries in four consecutive years (2018-22). Below are each injury suffered since 2018-19:

18-19: Suffered 2 groin injuries, the first cost 29 games. The 2nd occurred in the postseason and cost the Western Conference Finals.

19-20: Broke his thumb in February and missed the rest of the season, but so did the entire Sharks club, as the pandemic shut down the NHL in March.

20-21: Another groin injury

21-22: Upper body injury, surgically repairing his left forearm.

On one hand, there’s an opportunity for the Sharks defenseman to show us what they’re worth; hopefully by shutting down blue lines, laying out bodies, and keeping the puck from reaching the goalie. On another hand, the overall theme you are hearing is how the Sharks are in the hunt and the assumptions are that the Sharks’ chances of playing postseason hockey just took a hit.

The Sharks have a four game road trip starting in Washington, D.C. against Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals. The Sharks are entering the game technically tied for the last Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference, but the Calgary Flames are holding the 4th overall rank in the Pacific Division by having 5 games on the Sharks and also having earned the same amount of the points (44) in the standings in fewer games (37).