The San Jose Sharks have suffered a major setback with the news that one of their star forwards, Joe Thornton, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury.
The 37-year-old veteran was injured during a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night, and the Sharks have since confirmed that he will require surgery to repair the damage.
The injury is a huge blow for the Sharks, who are currently in the midst of a playoff push. Thornton had been a key contributor for the team this season, with 11 goals and 28 assists in 57 games.
The Sharks have not yet announced how they will replace Thornton in the lineup, but they will likely look to their depth players to step up in his absence.
The Sharks have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL this season, and they will need to find a way to stay competitive without one of their most important players. It will be a difficult task, but the Sharks have shown they are capable of overcoming adversity in the past.