William Eklund Out for Second Straight Game vs. Kraken
William Eklund will miss his second consecutive game Wednesday when the San Jose Sharks face the Pacific Division-leading Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. The Sharks are aiming to extend their season-long point streak to four games.
Eklund, who ranks second on the Sharks with 11 points, remained in San Jose and did not travel to Seattle on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury. This injury also kept him out of Sunday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Injury Status and Team Outlook
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky described Eklund’s condition as "day-to-day" but said he is "trending in the right direction." It remains uncertain whether he will be placed on injured reserve ahead of upcoming home games against the Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers.
Eklund's Impact Before Injury
Before the injury, 23-year-old William Eklund was performing at a high level, playing some of the best hockey of his NHL career. From October 23 to 30, he recorded four goals and five assists.
Eklund, along with Alexander Wennberg and winger Philipp Kurashev, formed the Sharks' most effective line. They contributed both offensively and defensively, often limiting the opposing teams' top lines.
"Eklund had close to 21 minutes in ice time in the Sharks’ 3-2 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday," said coach Warsofsky.
His absence will be a significant challenge for the Sharks as they look to maintain their recent momentum.
Summary: William Eklund’s injury sidelines a key Sharks forward during an important stretch, affecting both the team’s offense and defense as they face tough opponents.