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Veteran Sharks Defenseman To Miss First Game Of Season Against Panthers

max miller
·2 min read

San Jose Sharks defenseman Jan Rutta has played in all 51 games this season but will miss his first game tonight against the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury.

"[He's] a little nicked up, so we're just going to hold him out," Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "[He's] kind of been dealing with it the last couple of games."

Rutta has been a stalwart on the third pair of defense for the Sharks. In 51 games this season, Rutta has scored two goals and six assists.

He's had rotating partners but has often been paired with Henry Thrun. Thrun will be forced to shift to his off-side (right defense) as Marc-Edouard Vlasic will re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last three games.

"Henry has played the off-side before. Actually, last time he did, he played pretty well," Warsofsky said. "They're gonna have to defend extremely hard tonight, and their puck decisions have to be clean. They have to execute. It's going to be hard."

Scott Sabourin will make his season debut after he was recalled from the AHL yesterday. He will slot in on the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow playing center and Walker Duehr on the right wing.

Related: Sharks Enforcer Surprised by NHL Call Up

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