Injuries are as must a part of sports as winning and losing. More often than not, it is those same injuries that can mean the difference between the aforementioned winning and losing.
The San Jose Sharks have been skirting a fine line between the good, the bad and the injuries all throughout the young season.
Just as a slew of bodies and readying themselves for a return to the Sharks lineup, it's Martin Jones that finds himself all banged up following one of his best performances of the season - a 38 save shutout of the Winnipeg Jets last Saturday.
He hurt himself late in the third period with an "undisclosed injury," believed to be somewhere on the lower-body. He was able to finish the game but afterwards did not speak to the media. That's usually not a good sign. In this case, the news on Jones is not horrible. In fact, it could have been much worse. Anything lower-body with a goalie should be taken very seriously. Instead, San Jose's star goalie is considered day-to-day with his "unspecified injury."
Jones did not practice with the team but did travel to Philadelphia. The Sharks face the Flyers on Tuesday in the first game of a grueling four-game road trip.
Believe it or, this is the first time as a Shark, Jones has sat out due to injury. It really couldn't have come at a worse time though. The teal and black play four tough road games against the Flyers, Tampa Bay, Florida and Washington.
As I type this the Sharks sit fourth in the Pacific Division and are tied with Vancouver (26 points) for the final Wild Card spot. There are eight very valuable points up for grab on this trip. With five teams within two points of them for that final spot every point is huge. I mean bigly huge. Like massively huge.
Even with all the ups and downs this season, Marty Jones has been a constant for San Jose. Jones has 10-5-1 record, 2.05 GAA and .930 save percentage and has been the bright spot in an otherwise dull season. His absence whether short or prolonged, will have an impact on this team.
Aaron Dell gets the start in Jones' absence. The 28-year-old is 2-3-1 with a .920 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average this season. Dell's numbers aren't bad and trust me - I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer - but he hasn't been very sharp as of late. He allowed three goals on just 20 shots in his last start vs. Boston on Nov. 18. - a 3-1 loss at the Tank. And in his last four appearances, his save percentage is a mediocre .909.
Antoine Bibeau will be his back-up. He was recalled from the Barracuda on an emergency basis.
Please hurry back Mr. Jones. On a brighter note... Melker Karlsson, Barclay Goodrow and Paul Martin all made the trip out East. Karlsson (upper body) could see some ice time in the Philly game with Goodrow and Martin not far behind.
Jones and the Sharks' brass seem confident that this injury in nothing serious, but when it's one of those seasons and your best player is missing - you must learn to expect the unexpected.
Thanks for reading, Steve