Will Smith had a statement game. If you’re one of the many who thought he should be in the AHL — one of those who believed he wasn’t getting better in the NHL?

BOSTON — Will Smith had a statement game. If you’re one of the many who thought he should be in the AHL — one of those who believed he wasn’t getting better in the NHL? Smith responded with a goal and an assist in the Sharks’ 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins.

San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (lower body) will be in the lineup on Monday versus Boston. It was unclear if Granlund would be available for the contest after he sat out Sunday's practice with a lower-body injury.

Will Smith is still Will Smith. He’s still making plays that only Will Smith can make, a good sign halfway through a decidedly up-and-down campaign for the 19-year-old rookie. This play was a bright spot in the San Jose Sharks’ 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders.

With the Sharks trailing 2-1 midway through the second period, Smith poked the puck off the stick of Jonathan Beecher to himself in the neutral zone, worked a give-and-go with Mikael Granlund, and beat Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo with a wrist shot to the short side.

Benching Will Smith is part of the process. That’s how San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky looks at it. On Saturday, in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, the top prospect was sat late in the second period.

Sheng Peng is 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.

BOSTON — Will Smith had a statement game. If you’re one of the many who thought he should be in the AHL — one of those who believed he wasn’t getting better in the NHL? Smith responded with a goal and an assist in the San Jose Sharks’ 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Following the largest comeback win in franchise history Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators once again beat the San Jose Sharks, 6-5, in another high-scoring affair Thursday at SAP Center.

The Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks game will be televised by FanDuel Sports Network South with streaming available via FUBO and ESPN+ (outside of the Nashville TV market). Odds according to BetMGM on Thursday, Jan. 23

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play a part.

Will Smith had a goal and assist for the Sharks in a 6-3 loss to the Bruins in his homecoming on Monday before San Jose also lost 7-5 at Nashville