DETROIT — The Sharks will be without left wing Ryane Clowe — their leading playoff scorer — when they face the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 at Joe Louis Arena tonight.
“He’s got an upper body injury and stayed home in San Jose,” coach Todd McLellan said after word spread about Clowe’s absence during the team’s morning skate.
McLellan would not go into the specifics of the injury, but said it was not related to the heavy hit that Red Wing defenseman Niklas Kronwall delivered late in the second period of Sunday night’s 4-3 loss to Detroit.
The Sharks coach would not say which player would replace Clowe in the lineup, but indicated it would either Ben Eager or Jamal Mayers, both of whom have seen playoff action but sat out Game 5.
McLellan added that the coaching staff was still sorting out its options on line combinations with Clowe unavailable.
Clowe has four goals and nine assists for 13 points to lead San Jose’s offense through 11 post-season games. He skates on a line with Logan Couture and Dany Heatley, and is considered one of the team’s more emotional leaders.
“We’re going to miss him. It’s tough to replace Ryane Clowe,” Couture said, noting that the opening in the line does give other players an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise had. “I don’t think anyone can step in and do exactly what he does. But guys are going to try.”
Clowe’s absence could mean that fourth-line left wing Benn Ferriero might move to Couture’s line. Or McLellan could move Couture onto the top line with Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi, then create a second line of Patrick Marleau, Heatley and Clowe’s replacement.
