Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov may miss next game

Goalie Evgeni Nabokov might not play in the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks' next game after injuring himself while making the final stop in their shootout victory over St. Louis on Thursday night.

Nabokov, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie last year, has a lower-body injury, the Sharks said Friday.

Nabokov has a league-leading 10 victories despite an unremarkable .891 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average. He gave up four goals to the Blues before coming up big in the shootout, stopping three of four shots to keep San Jose unbeaten in eight home games this season.

But Nabokov got up slowly after stretching his legs to stop Patrik Berglund on St. Louis' final shootout try. Nabokov skated gingerly off the ice, and he didn't practice Friday.

The Sharks have a more-than-capable backup in Brian Boucher, who has posted shutouts in his only two starts this season. He's likely to play Saturday night when the Sharks host the Dallas Stars.

San Jose recalled goalie Thomas Greiss and left wing Brad Staubitz from their AHL affiliate in Worcester on Friday, reassigning left wing Jamie McGinn to the minors.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-11-07-08 1641EST