Injured San Jose Sharks’ centerman to miss next two games at least

San Jose Sharks center Nico Sturm will miss games against the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche

Injured San Jose Sharks center Nico Sturm will miss at least the team’s next two games, starting with tonight’s game with the Arizona Coyotes, and it’s unclear when he might be able to return, coach David Quinn said.

Sturm, injured in the third period Tuesday when the Sharks hosted the Winnipeg Jets, did not make the trip with the team to Arizona. He’ll also miss Sunday’s game in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche, and does not have a timeline for a return, Quinn said.

As of Friday morning, Sturm was not listed as being on injured reserve.

Quinn added that centers Ryan Carpenter and Logan Couture also did not make the trip as the Sharks seek to win on the road for the fourth time in six games.

Givani Smith will back draw into the lineup for the Sharks after he was scratched from Tuesday’s game and it appears Luke Kunin will take Sturm’s place as San Jose’s third-line center.

Goalie Kaapo Kahkonen will start tonight, Quinn said.

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