The Sharks (7-6-0) began their six-game road trip in Washington (8-3-1) on Tuesday night hoping to erase a three-game losing streak that culminated in a 5-0 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Having struggled to score all season, netting only 16 goals in 11 games, including just three in the last three games, the Sharks looked to their AHL affiliate for some offensive spark. Training camp standout and San Jose Barracuda scoring leader, Kevin Labanc, would make his NHL debut on the Shark’s 2nd line with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi.
After turning heads in training camp, Labanc has continued to show NHL-readiness by leading all AHL rookies with 10 points, including 4 goals.