SAN JOSE -– It was telling that on Tuesday, after the Sharks lost Game 3 of their first round playoff series with the Kings, that the only players on the ice at the practice facility other than the healthy scratches were forwards and linemates Chris Tierney, Tommy Wingels and Nick Spaling, defenseman Brent Burns and backup goalie James Reimer.
Just about every day between playoff games this time of year brings with it an optional skate. It wasn’t optional for the fourth liners, who had taken a combined six minor penalties in games two and three, and who saw barely any ice time in the third period and overtime of the Kings’ 2-1 win Monday.