Sharks expect G Nabokov back Saturday

Nov 21, 2008 - 4:50 PM SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- The best team in the NHL is about to get better.

The San Jose Sharks expect to have top goaltender Evgeni Nabokov available when they host the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

The two-time All Star has missed the past six games because of an undisclosed lower body injury, suffered on the final play of a shootout victory over St. Louis on November 6.

Nabokov, who is 10-2-0 with a 2.71 goals-against average this season, practiced Thursday and declared himself "healthy."

"I feel pretty good," Nabokov told the San Jose Mercury News. "They obviously want me to be at 100 percent, and I feel like I am."

The absence of their top netminder has not exactly slowed the Sharks, who own the league's best record at 16-3-1.

Brian Boucher has filled in admirably over the past six games, going 4-1-1 with 2.49 GAA.

While Sharks coach Todd McLellan admitted he is pleased with Boucher's play in relief of Nabokov, he has made it clear that Nabokov's job is not in jeopardy.

"There won't be a goaltending controversy here one bit," he said. "I can tell you that right now. We'll continue to manage it the right way when Nabby is back."