With his teammates on the road in Game 6 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings and Marc-Edouard Vlasic injured, he stayed back in San Jose. He got some treatment during the day and decided to quietly sit at the bar of a place called Dry Creek Grill to watch the game.

This was the game, you’ll remember, where things really turned in that series. Justin Williams scored a controversial goal, and the San Jose Sharks never recovered.

And the Sharks most important defenseman was hundreds of miles away, sitting alone, watching helplessly.

While spending time in San Jose this week, I pitched two ideas to Vlasic. The first: I think the Sharks beat the Kings if he stays healthy.

“I would personally like to think so,” Vlasic said, although he was quick to say it can’t be used as an excuse. “Guys have injuries all year. … We had to find a way to battle through adversity, and we didn’t do it.”

The second theory? I think Vlasic should play a ton this season.