NHL: San Jose Sharks have won just 13 of 26 games in which they’ve led or been tied going into the third period

Granlund didn't participate in Sunday's practice session due to a lower-body injury, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. Despite Granlund's absence from practice, head coach Ryan Warsofsky didn't rule the 32-year-old out for Monday's road game against Boston.

With the calendar flipped to January, all NHL eyes shift to the March 7th trade deadline, where players like San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund could be at the forefront of trade rumors.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Mikael Granlund for fantasy hockey. San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (lower body) will be in

The Sharks and general manager Mike Grier could potentially attempt to extend pending free-agent Mikael Granlund rather than deal him away.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play a part.

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Bruins host the San Jose Sharks in a non-conference matchup. Boston has gone 13-7-3 at home and 22-19-6 overall. The Bruins have a 7-11-3 record when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent.

With the Sharks trailing 2-1 midway through the second period, Smith poked the puck off the stick of Jonathan Beecher to himself in the neutral zone, worked a give-and-go with Mikael Granlund, and beat Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo with a wrist shot to the short side.

For several San Jose Sharks, coming to Boston is a homecoming. For the team though, the bumps and bruises are piling up. Four skaters missed practice at TD Garden on Sunday, Tyler Toffoli, Fabian Zetterlund,

BOSTON — Will Smith had a statement game. If you’re one of the many who thought he should be in the AHL — one of those who believed he wasn’t getting better in the NHL? Smith responded with a goal and an assist in the Sharks’ 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins.

BOSTON — Will Smith had a statement game. If you’re one of the many who thought he should be in the AHL — one of those who believed he wasn’t getting better in the NHL? Smith responded with a goal and an assist in the San Jose Sharks’ 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins.