Couture was a surprising participant in the Sharks' morning skate and will be a game-time decision tonight. Head coach Bob Boughner said that they'll see how his ankle responds this afternoon before deciding if he'll play in Philadelphia.
Couture was forced to leave Tuesday's game against the Blues with an obvious lower-body injury that he suffered while crashing into the end boards. Couture had to be helped off of the ice and it didn't look good right away. The early reports are that Couture suffered a fractured ankle and is "week-to-week" but will likely be out until mid-February. Look for the Sharks to release a detailed timetable in the coming 24 hours.
Couture was hurt late in Sunday’s win over the Flames and will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game vs. Nashville. Couture centred Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl in the morning skate, suggesting that he’ll be good-to-go tonight.
The Sharks foreshadowed that Couture would likely be out until after the Christmas break so him not playing tonight should come as no surprise. With Couture out, look for Tomas Hertl to remain as the Sharks’ second line centre.
Couture was hit in the face by a puck in Nashville on Saturday and will miss at least one game tonight vs. New York. With Couture out, Patrick Marleau will shift to centre on the Sharks’ centre line. Keep an eye on Couture’s status leading up to the Sharks’ back-to-back on Thursday and Friday.
Couture missed the Sharks’ game on Saturday, but is on the ice for warmups and is expected to be in the lineup in New Jersey this afternoon. Couture has 38 points (19G / 19A) in 54 games this season, including seven goals, six assists (13 points) and 2.21 shots per game in his last 14 games.
Couture was a late scratch on Saturday because of an upper-body injury, but head coach Pete DeBoer said that Couture is feeling much better today and is listed as a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the Sharks’ hit the ice for pre-game warmups at Noon ET.
Couture did not travel to Los Angeles for Wednesday's game because they thought it best to keep him home as he gets over a bug. With Couture out, Melker Karlsson will move into the top-6. Monitor Couture's status prior to Thursday's home game vs. the Lightning.
Couture left Wednesday’s game after being cross-checked in the head/neck area by Senators’ forward Mike Hoffman. Couture was on the ice for the morning skate and will centre the second line with Mikkel Boedker and Kevin Labanc on his wings.
Couture left Wednesday’s game after taking a cross-check to the back/neck area from Mike Hoffman. It was dirty play by the Senators’ winger and Couture left the game and did not return. Despite leaving, he is with the team in Montreal, which is a good sign that he could play on Friday.
