ST. PAUL – The flu bug has infiltrated the Sharks’ dressing room, in the midst of their fight to retain the division lead.
After Chris Tierney had to sit out Monday’s game in Dallas due to illness, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was scratched on Tuesday in Minnesota where the Sharks were set to play the second of a four-game road trip against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center.
Tierney returned for the Wild game, centering the fourth line with Micheal Haley and Timo Meier. Dylan DeMelo drew in on defense for Vlasic, while David Schlemko was moved up to play with Justin Braun, Vlasic’s usual partner.
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In 67 games, Vlasic has 22 points (5g, 17a) and a plus-two rating.
Jannik Hansen remained out with an upper body injury, although he’s on the trip.
When it was suggested to coach Pete DeBoer that Hansen wouldn’t be on the road unless there was a chance he could play before it ends, the coach said: “That’s fair, but there’s no guarantees of anything." The Sharks visit the Stars on Friday, and Predators on Saturday.
The Sharks entered Tuesday's game having lost three straight games in regulation, and holding a four-point lead on Anaheim and Edmonton for first place in the Pacific Division.
San Jose Sharks
