Clifton has been a healthy scratch since Game 2 vs. Toronto, but will replace John Moore, who is out with an upper-body injury. Clifton had just one shot while averaging 12:14 TOI/gm through two games vs. Toronto.
Clifton was forced to leave Game 2 early due to an undisclosed injury and will be replaced by Steven Kampfer in Game 3. Clifton, who has one shot in two games, is day-to-day.
Letang has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could be back Thursday vs. the Red Wings. Letang has missed a lot of time lately but had a point in each of the three games he played in between his two injuries, giving him 16 goals and 40 assists (56 points) in 63 games this season.
Malkin has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game vs. the Red Wings. Malkin centred Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust in today’s session.
Heinen played through an illness on Sunday but will be replaced by Chris Wagner on Tuesday.
Karlsson has missed the last three games and has no timetable for his return but the Sharks are confident that he will return to the lineup before the playoffs. The Sharks are locked into a playoff spot so they will not rush Karlsson back until he is 100 percent.
