LOS ANGELES – Joel Ward’s upper body injury is not expected to keep him out long term, although he won’t suit up against the Kings on Tuesday night as the Sharks play their final game before the league shuts down for Christmas.
Ward spoke publicly for the first time since going head-and-shoulders-first into the boards courtesy of a hit from behind by Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki late in Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Senators. After missing Sunday’s game in Chicago, Ward saw a doctor on Monday and expects to be back in the lineup on Dec. 28 against Colorado in the Sharks’ next game after Tuesday.