Line Change
Nelson out; Josh Bailey in.
Nelson continues to shuffle in and out of the Islanders lineup. He played 13:41 and was a minus-1 with three shots on goal vs. the Red Wings last night.
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Burns recorded a goal in his return to the lineup on Thursday, but admitted it will take some time to get the chemistry back with his linemates Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl, as well as his “legs and lungs.”
Still, the Sharks improved to 8-0-1 this season with Burns in the lineup. Burns has faced the Devils (tonight's opponent) just four times in his career, with one goal and one assist.
Line Change
Nelson will be a healthy scratch tonight.
Nelson goes from the first line to a healthy scratch in an instant with Thomas Vanek returning from a lower-body injury and Michael Grabner getting back in the lineup. "Brock has played extremely well and the other guys have seen that. You have to make tough decisions," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said.
Head coach Todd McLellan essentially confirmed that Burns would make his return to the lineup after missing exactly one month. "He's going to come off of [injured reserve], so there's a real good chance that he will play. We'll see how he is when he comes to the rink, but he's telling me now that he's ready. He looks ready, and right now he is."
Burns has been scratched for the last 13 games, after taking a series of high hits that included a whack in the face from Ottawa goaltender Robyn Lehner on Oct. 12. He had four goals and four assists in his first eight games on a line with Thornton and Tomas Hertl, with seven of his eight points coming at even strength.
Burns (face) is listed as questionable for tonight's meeting with Tampa Bay.
Burns returned to the top-line in practice yesterday which is a good sign. The Sharks will hit the ice for their morning skate shortly and we will have an update on Burns' status for tonight following the skate.
Burns (face) is taking shifts in his old spot. Good indication he’s in tomorrow, but nothing certain, of course.
Burns has missed 13 games, but could be back tomorrow. We have been here before with Burns and this injury - it looks like he is close and then he doesn't play. I won't get anyone's hopes up, monitor his status following tomorrow's morning skate.
Burns (face) is “really close,” says GM Doug Wilson.
Wilson also said that there is a chance that Burns plays on Thursday, but that will be up to the medical staff. Burns was originally expected to miss only a few days with a mouth injury, but it has cost him 13 games. Consider him questionable for Thursday.
Burns (face) will not play tonight and was back in a non-contact jersey today.
It sounds like Burns has had a setback in his recovery. He had shed the non-contact jersey, but putting it back on today is not a good sign. "There’s days where I think he’s really close, and there’s other days when you want to do some work with him and he doesn’t seem able to do it,” head coach Todd McLellan said.
As expected, Burns (mouth) is out tonight.
Burns will miss his 10th straight game, but is progressing towards a return. It continues to be a day-to-day situation, monitor his status for Thursday's game.
Burns (mouth) did not skate on a regular line at Sharks practice on Monday, indicating that he likely won't be in the lineup on Tuesday.
Burns continues to progress towards a return, but it does not appear that it will be tomorrow. James Neal randomly played on Saturday though so don't completely rule him out yet. His next opportunity to play would be Thursday versus Vancouver.
Brent Burns (face) is out tonight.
Burns will miss his ninth straight contest tonight. He traveled with the team to Winnipeg, but will not play. Monitor his status prior to Tuesday's game vs. Calgary.
Burns (face) is on the ice with the Sharks in a no-contact jersey.
Burns continues to practice, but has yet to shed the "don't hit me jersey". There is still no timetable for Burns return, but until he gets rid of that no-contact jersey he should be considered out. Monitor his status prior to Sunday's contest but it does not look promising.
Burns (face) will not play tonight vs. Vancouver.
Burns will miss his eighth straight game since being injured in a collision on October 19. He continues to practice with the Sharks but is not ready to return to the lineup. He will likely return at some point during the Sharks upcoming road trip that starts on Sunday in Winnipeg.
Burns stayed out and practiced with the Sharks for the first time since suffering a mouth injury on October 19.
This is a great sign for the Sharks and Burns fantasy owners. Burns will not play tonight, but is nearing a return and should be considered questionable for Thursday.
For the first time since he was hurt on Oct. 19 against Calgary, Sharks forward Brent Burns was seen on the ice in full hockey pads, skating around the rink by himself at the team's practice facility on Monday morning. Previously, Burns was in a just a helmet.
The Sharks have been vague when it comes to the details of Burns’ injury. “Getting closer, from what I’ve been told,” Todd McLellan said on Monday. “He’s welcome back any time, obviously. We’d love to have him back with our team. From my understanding, he’s getting closer.” Could Burns return to practice this week? "I don’t have that. He and the trainers and the doctors know when that will happen,” McLellan said.
Brent Burns skated solo again this morning.
Burns was wearing pads for the first time today, but he continues to skate alone and not with the Sharks. The fact that he didn't skate with his teammates today suggests he won't be in the lineup tomorrow or this week. If you are in a weekly league I think it would be wise to keep Burns on the bench again this week.
Nichushkin has been moved to the Stars top line.
Nichushkin scored his first NHL goal last night and was rewarded with a move to the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin today. This has happened before but he did not end up playing with them in-game. Dallas takes on the Bruins tomorrow, if he sticks on the first line, you should expect and increase in production from the talented Russian.
Burns (mouth) is out tonight.
Burns will miss his sixth straight game tonight. He continues to skate on his own, but has not joined his teammates. Consider him questionable for Tuesday.
An injured Brent Burns (upper body) continued to skate on his own. The forward took the ice by himself for approximately 20 minutes before the Sharks went on for practice wearing a helmet but no pads.
The details on Burns’ injury are still vague, but according to general manager Doug Wilson, he is not expected to be out long term.
As reported yesterday, Bruns is officially out for tonight vs. Los Angeles.
Burns will miss his fifth consecutive game with a mouth injury that he suffered on October 19th. The Sharks haven't skipped a beat without Burns, but his eight points in eight games has fantasy owners chomping at the bit for him return. Consider him questionable for Saturday vs. Phoenix