Sharks update: Couture could soon take another step toward return

SAN JOSE – Logan Couture will not return to the San Jose Sharks’ lineup for today’s game with the Toronto Maple Leafs but he could practice with the team on Sunday before it leaves for a five-game road trip.

Sharks coach David Quinn said Saturday afternoon that Couture skated earlier in the day at SAP Center but wasn’t sure how the team’s captain felt afterward.

Couture suffered the injury before the start of training camp and later experienced two frustrating setbacks, delaying his return. Couture, though, has been skating regularly for just over a month after, and indications earlier this week were that he needed more practice time before he returned to the active roster.

Quinn said Thursday that Couture will join the Sharks on the road trip with the expectation that he would play at some point. The trip starts Tuesday in Toronto, followed by games in Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, and Chicago.

The Sharks have lost 10 straight games and entered Saturday in last place in the NHL’s overall standings with a 9-27-3 record.

Couture had 67 points in 82 games last season. The Sharks entered Saturday as both the lowest-scoring team in the NHL at 2.03 goals per game, and the least stingy, with an average of 4.03 goals allowed per game.

 

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