Thornton will miss Game 4 in Vegas after being suspended for one game and is expected to be replaced by Joonas Donskoi. Thornton is eligible to return to the lineup for Game 5 in San Jose.
Thornton missed Wednesday’s practice and is questionable to play Thursday vs. the Stars. The Sharks are being vague on Thornton’s injury but the fact he is a game-time decision suggests that it is minor. Thornton has just 12 points (4G / 8A) in 23 games this season.
Thornton has been sidelined by a knee infection since October 5th, but will play tonight vs. the Rangers. Thornton will centre the Sharks’ top line with Timo Meier and Joe Pavelski on his wings. He picked up a single assist in two games this season.
Thornton’s injury is not structural but rather an infection in his knee. This should come as a relief for Thornton owners, as the veteran will be put on antibiotics and hopefully make a quick recovery. Joe Pavelski will shift to centre and Melker Karlsson will be bumped to the top-line for the time being.
Thornton suffered the injury during overtime on Tuesday and will miss “several weeks.” Thornton recently had left knee surgery, so luckily he avoided an injury to that same knee but it sounds like he will be out until at least mid-February.
Thornton suffered an apparent knee injury in overtime on Tuesday and an MRI is expected to reveal the nature of the injury this morning. Expect an update on Thornton’s status at some point this afternoon.
Thornton missed the last four games with a shoulder injury that he suffered on New Years Eve vs. the Ducks. Thornton comes in on a five-game point streak—he has two goals, 10 assists (12 points) and a plus-4 rating in his last 12 games.
Thornton took part in the Sharks morning skate, but will miss his fourth consecutive game. The Sharks power-play has been awful without Thornton, going 1-for-17 (5.8%) in the last three games.
Thornton skated on Tuesday morning, but only with the team’s scratched players. Coach Todd McLellan is unsure whether or not Thornton will be available on Thursday. The Sharks have off on Wednesday, so it may not be known until Thursday morning if Thornton will be ready.
Thornton will miss at least the next two games. He will not play on Monday vs. the Jets or Tuesday vs. the Wild, but the Sharks are hopeful that he could be back in the lineup on Thursday in St. Louis. Monitor his status leading up to the clash with the Blues.
