Maple Leafs' Sparks, Spaling out until after Christmas

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks will be out until at least after Christmas after sustaining a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Sparks went to the bench then to the locker room at 11:32, after Patrick Marleau scored San Jose's second power-play goal to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead.

He stopped 13 of 15 shots before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier. The Maple Leafs lost 5-4 in overtime.

Bernier will start Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Maple Leafs also lost forward Nick Spaling, who sustained what the team called an upper-body injury 24 seconds into the game and did not return.