Injury knocks Sharks defenseman out of game vs. Los Angeles Kings

All signs point to San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro having to miss some time after he had to leave Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period with a lower-body injury.

Coach David Quinn did not have a specific update on Ferraro after the Sharks beat the Kings 4-3 in a shootout at Crypto.com Arena.

Asked if it could be considered a good sign for Ferraro that he skated briefly near the end of the second intermission — presumably to test out the injury — before he returned to the Sharks’ dressing room, Quinn said, “Yeah, it is. But he’s going to be out, I think, for a couple games.”

Ferraro was chasing after a loose puck in the offensive zone to the left of the Kings net when it appeared that veteran Los Angeles forward Trevor Lewis made contact with him from behind. The two players’ skates then appeared to get tangled up, sending Ferraro awkwardly into the boards.

Ferraro remained on the ice for a few moments before he was able to get up and make his way toward the Sharks’ bench. He was helped off the ice by teammates, then hobbled as he walked gingerly back toward the team’s dressing room.

Mario Ferraro takes a hit from Trevor Lewis and goes into the boards hard. He went right to the dressing room. #SJSharks #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/ooENxy3Q1y

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) January 23, 2024

The Sharks officially ruled Ferraro out for the remainder of the game after the start of the third period.

The play happened with just over 13 minutes left in the second period with the Sharks leading 2-0 at the time on goals by Fabian Zetterlund and William Eklund. The Kings later cut the lead in half on a goal by Trevor Moore with 2:54 left before the second intermission.

Ferraro leads all Sharks skaters in average time on ice (22:56) and hasn’t missed a game this season, despite entering Monday second in the NHL with 135 blocks. He also leads all Sharks defensemen with 14 points, including 13 assists.

The Sharks return home after Monday’s game and will host the New York Rangers on Tuesday. San Jose then has three days between games before it hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

The Sharks are already without three other injured defensemen right now in Matt Benning, Jacob MacDonald, and Ty Emberson. Benning is out for the season after he had hip surgery in December, and MacDonald and Emberson are both considered week-to-week with their respective maladies.

If Ferraro cannot play against the Rangers, Calen Addison, a healthy scratch Monday, will likely return to the lineup. Addison has been a scratch for four straight games and in 28 games with the Sharks this season, has seven points and is averaging 17:45 in ice time.