Sharks’ Tyler Toffoli out ‘for a little bit’ with injury

The San Jose Sharks will be without forward Tyler Toffoli on Saturday when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers, and could be without the veteran center for the foreseeable future as they chase a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said that Toffoli would be out of the lineup “for a little bit,” as he recovered from a lower-body injury. He left the Sharks’ game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday after the first period and did not return, as San Jose went on to lose 5-0 on home ice. 

Now in his second season with San Jose, Toffoli ranked third in team scoring with 18 goals and 44 points in 66 games. Warsofsky said the 33-year-old was being evaluated further, and that more information could become clearer on Saturday, ahead of puck drop. 

“Veteran guy, right? He’s been around a long time, seen a lot of playoff hockey, and in these kinds of moments, he can really help your group move forward,” Warsofsky told Mercury News. “So we’re gonna miss him for a little bit here, but I think we have some guys that can fill in and help out, and he’ll still be around.”

Ranking ahead of Toffoli in team scoring are Macklin Celebrini, with 35 goals and 95 points, as well as Will Smith, who has 19 goals and 45 points. 

Entering Friday’s NHL slate, the Sharks sat 11th in the Western Conference on 70 points, just two points behind the LA Kings for the final Wild Card spot. In the Pacific Division, they sit sixth, six points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the final playoff spot in the top three Pacific berths.

Following Saturday’s clash against the Flyers, they will have 14 games remaining, with the hope that Toffoli can return sooner rather than later as they chase a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019.