The San Jose Barracuda will embark on their first postseason run since 2019 against the Ontario Reign on Thursday.
While the San Jose Sharks’ minor league affiliate got some reinforcements like Jack Thompson, Lucas Carlsson, and Zack Osapchuk, they could still be without the AHL’s leading scorer, Andrew Poturalski.
Barracuda head coach John McCarthy told reporters that Poturalski is dealing with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
“We’ll just wait and see,” McCarthy said about Poturalski’s possible return during the first round. “It changes, so we’re just managing that.”
Poturalski led the entire AHL in scoring with 73 points (30 goals, 43 assists) in 59 games. The Barracuda forward hasn’t played since March 28 and was reportedly skating again. Per McCarthy, Potualski hasn’t suffered a setback despite the week-to-week timetable.
“When you’re missing somebody like that, it’s an opportunity for other guys to take advantage. They’re getting a look and filling the role [he had],” McCarthy said. “We miss him. He’s an important piece of our team, obviously, but it is an opportunity for other guys.”
McCarthy would not say if Poturalski would travel with the team.
Thomas Bordeleau seems closer to returning
Thomas Bordeleau suffered an upper-body injury during his only game with the San Jose Sharks this season. San Jose Barracuda coach John McCarthy listed the winger as day-to-day.
Like Potualski, it is unclear if Bordeleau will travel with the team to Los Angeles.
“Upper-body, kind of a day-to-day situation,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to see tomorrow. [It is day-to-day, so] we’ll see where he’s at.”
Bordeleau finished with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 59 games this season.
Tuesday’s practice for the Barracuda was optional, but other Sharks prospects like Filip Bystedt and Patrick Giles didn’t participate but aren’t expected to miss time.
San Jose’s first-round series against the Reign will be a best-of-three with the first two games at Crypto.com Arena.
“Everything’s magnified, right? That’s why the spotlight is on you, the stakes are higher,” McCarthy said. “People want to see how we handle it.”
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