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.

It looks like Will Smith has worked his way from getting benched to the first line. Smith skated with center Mikael Granlund and winger Fabian Zetterlund this morning at UBS Arena, before the San Jose Sharks take on the New York Islanders tonight.

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.

Will Smith had a goal and an assist in his New England homecoming, and goalie Yaroslav Askarov, still recovering from the flu and playing at less than 100% health, made 27 saves. But the Sharks have now lost 14 straight games to the Bruins dating back to the 2015-16 season.

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.

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.

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.

Granlund (lower body) will play against Boston on Monday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. As expected, Granlund will play after skipping Sunday's practice for maintenance. He has ...

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.

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.