- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at Sheng_Peng.
A tough season for Kevin Labanc is going to get tougher tonight.
This morning, San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner announced that Labanc would be a healthy scratch tonight versus the Calgary Flames.
This will be the seventh game that Labanc has missed in this young season: The winger missed five games in November because he was in COVID protocol, and after slew-footing Tyler Bozak on Nov. 18, he was suspended for the next game against the Capitals.
“He needs to be better,” Boughner declared. “It’s a coach’s decision. It’s not an injury.”