Sharks call up goalie Greiss as ironman Nabokov's backup

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks recalled goalie Thomas Greiss on Tuesday to fill the thankless job of Evgeni Nabokov's backup.

Nabokov has started all 41 of the Sharks' games this season. Dimitri Patzold, who was sent back to Worcester to get some playing time, has played just 44 minutes during three games this season.

Nabokov's 41 straight starts are the fourth-most consecutive games started in a single season since 1989-90, according to Stats LLC. If Nabokov starts the Sharks' next three games, he'll tie Martin Brodeur for the second-most in that time period, trailing only Grant Fuhr's 76 consecutive starts for St. Louis in 1995-96.

Greiss was 12-10-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average in Worcester. The German goalie was recalled for a one-week practice stint with San Jose in November, but has yet to appear in an NHL game.