Karlsson Will “Probably” Miss Road Trip, Out Longer?

Erik Karlsson missed Saturday’s game against the Lightning with an upper-body injury, and he’s about to miss some more.

“Probably not going to see him on this road trip,” San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner admitted this afternoon.

The Sharks are flying out tomorrow for a grueling four-game road trip through Washington, Florida, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. They’ll then have a week-plus break until their next game on Feb. 14 versus the Edmonton Oilers.

In theory, that gives Erik Karlsson three weeks to get healthy. Will he be ready for a Valentine’s Day date with Connor McDavid?

Maybe not. Karlsson is meeting with a doctor today, per Boughner: “We’re trying to figure out what the right thing to do is here.”

Could surgery be on the table?

“I’m not sure at this point,” Boughner offered. “I’m gonna have to wait and see what the doctor says.”

Boughner said the Sharks will have a better picture later today about Karlsson’s status. Their next scheduled media availability is Wednesday morning in Washington.

Erik Karlsson has enjoyed a comeback campaign, leading all Sharks defensemen with eight goals. In just 33 games, the 31-year-old blueliner has accumulated 26 points.

Karlsson previously missed six games earlier this season because of COVID, two games in mid-January because of an oblique strain, and last Saturday because of this unidentified upper-body injury.

During Saturday’s morning skate, Boughner noted that this current upper-body injury was unrelated to the oblique strain.

Boughner indicates that Karlsson's new upper-body injury holding him out tonight is unrelated to Karlsson's oblique strain injury a couple weeks ago — so separate upper-body injuries for Karlsson

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 22, 2022