Deep Blue Sea: Time is a flat circle

In the third period of last night’s match up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Logan Couture ate puck, thanks to the usual suspect in these types of situations, Brent Burns. The scene was depressingly familiar.

Last night’s incident felt slightly less dramatic. I mean, jesus, in that Nashville game, you see Ryan Ellis put his hand on Couture’s shoulder to see if he’s okay and Logan waves him off to immediately skate to the dressing room. Last night, he skated to the bench doubled over and, according to Alison Lukan of The Athletic, slammed his stick against the boards on his way to the dressing room.

Sharks fans everywhere panicked: Life without Couture and Thornton wasn’t too great the last time around, but at least they still had Marleau. What would they do now?

Luckily, Couture returned a few minutes later. Seems pretty cruel to make the dude with a visibly swollen mouth do a post-game interview, but Couture reassured everyone that he is okay:

POSTGAME REACTION: Logan Couture

He’s talking, that must be a good sign. pic.twitter.com/9sqgK5IQYD

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) February 3, 2018

“Nothing came out,” he said of his teeth, which were replaced last year. “But probably end up having to do something when we get back to San Jose again.”

Good luck to Logan’s dentist.

At least they got the win, right?

Here’s Sharks news from around the web:

• Sharks survive injury scare to Couture in win over Columbus
  Logan Couture took a puck to the mouth in the third period of the Sharks win over the Blue Jackets.
• Sharks coach isn’t afraid to lean on Jones after injury
  Martin Jones will make his third start in four nights when the Sharks take on the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday.
• Sharks back idea of giving Jagr an NHL farewell in San Jose
  Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman is floating an idea that could give Jagr the farewell victory lap he deserves: invite him to play in the 2019 NHL All-Star game in San Jose.
• Sharks win first game without Joe Thornton, top Blue Jackets
  The Sharks ended a season-high four-game losing streak in Columbus Friday.
• Paul Martin stays patient as he waits for next NHL chance
  With NHL trade deadline nearing, veteran defenseman is taking a wait and see approach
• Sharks get first look at surprisingly forward-thinking Blue Jackets blueline
  When the Sharks take on the Blue Jackets Friday for the first time this season, we’ll see a bit of a different John Tortorella./

And around the league (and beyond!):

• What is a first-round pick worth at the NHL trade deadline? – Sportsnet.ca
  What is the trade value of a first-round pick? With the NHL’s annual trade deadline coming up at the end of the month, it’s a relevant question.
• Super Bowl 2018: Which NHL player will make next Tony Romo in booth?
  Romo has become an instant sensation as a CBS NFL in-game analyst. Who could do it in the NHL?
• NHL – Weekly Reader – Goalies hate 3-on-3 overtime – Jersey Fouls, Puck Headlines and more
  The wide-open style is great for fans … and terrible for netminders, whose stats take a hit. Do they have a legitimate gripe? Plus, Jersey Foul of the week, the most dangerous postgame interview ever, possible changes in the playoff format and more.
• 5 things we learned in the NHL: Best expansion team ever – Sportsnet.ca
  Justin Holl stayed hot for the Maple Leafs, Joel Armia continues to provide depth scoring for the Jets and Filip Forsberg provides an instant spark for the Preds.
• Matt Nickerson: EIHL hockey player punches fan (video) | SI.com
  Matt Nickerson, an American defenseman with Milton Keynes Lightning in the U.K.’s Elite Ice Hockey League, was suspended 20 games after an incident in Sunday’s game against the Guildford Flames.
• Koreas’ unified women’s hockey team has exposed a key difference between South and North — their language
  Korea’s unified women’s hockey team has exposed a key difference between South and North — their language. The two Koreas have been divided for more than half a century, and the Korean language has evolved differently on each side. That’s making communication tough for the hockey players.
• Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche have ruined the NHL trade market – Mile High Hockey
  Prices are “insane” and it’s all thanks to the Colorado Avalanche
• Translation: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov discusses the NHL’s All-Star Game – Raw Charge
  Nikita Kucherov: He didn’t play hockey (Kucherov laughs). He is just the commissioner. It’s nice, of course. But if Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux said it to me, it would be different. Gary Bettman is just Gary Bettman./