San Jose Sharks: Stalock Gets Game 6 Start, Vlasic Out

Apr 11, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) defends the goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Hours before Game 6 against the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan announced several important changes affecting the roster.

First and foremost, Alex Stalock will get the start in goal tonight, making his first career playoff start of his career. However, he has played in this series, relieving Antti Niemi in both Games 4 and 5. In Game 5, he came in 22 seconds into the second period and stopped all 22 shots he faced. He has not allowed a goal in the postseason. During the regular season, Stalock was 12-5-2 with a 1.87 GAA.

“It’s a chance to close out the series, and that’s the ultimate goal,” Stalock told Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.

But if the Sharks want to close out the series tonight, they will have to do so without one of their top defenseman, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who sustained an upper body injury in Game 5. Late in the first period, Vlasic was checked hard into the boards by Kings’ forward Jarret Stoll as they were both pursuing a loose puck. Stoll received a minor penalty for roughing, while Vlasic limped into the dressing room and did not return in the game. McLellan, earlier today, ruled Vlasic out indefinitely.

Matt Irwin will skate on defense in place of Vlasic.