- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Right wing Kevin Labanc is back on the bench.
Labanc began the season on the second line next to Logan Couture and Oskar Lindblom, but after the Sharks got off to an 0-5-0 start, coach David Quinn sat out the Staten Island native Oct. 20 against the New York Rangers.
Labanc has been productive since then, posting 10 goals and 15 assists in 38 games, mostly on the Sharks’ top line with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier.
This is mainly at even strength too -- Labanc isn’t on San Jose’s top power play but is second on the team, per Natural Stat Trick, with 2.23 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
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But Labanc has drawn the ire of Quinn recently, as he was benched for a half period against the Arizona Coyotes last week and was benched Monday against the New Jersey Devils.
