Sharks center Joe Thornton returns for Game 3 vs. Oilers

After missing the first two games of the series against Edmonton, Joe Thornton is back in uniform for the San Jose Sharks Sunday night.

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton missed the final three games of the regular season with a “lower body injury”, which has since been declared to be a left knee injury. The 37-year-old was a game-time decision for Game 1 and Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers but missed both games as the series was tied 1-1 heading to San Jose.

Thornton was again declared to be a game-time decision for Sunday night’s Game 3, with a positive sign of participating in the team’s morning skate. Thornton then took part in the pre-game skate for the Sharks, which is sure sign he would play barring an unexpected setback.

All ambiguity on Thornton’s has been removed, and he will immediately resume centering the No. 1 line for San Jose.

Thornton had a down year by his lofty standards, with seven goals and 43 assists (50 points), a plus-minus of +7 and just one power play goal in 79 regular season games. But he did lead the team with 18 power play assists, and his impact early in Sunday night’s game is already clear. The home crowd at the “Shark Tank” has some extra energy, and so do Thornton’s teammates. Here are a couple stats to prove the latter point, the first from a little over halfway through the first period.

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The Sharks can turn the momentum back their way with a win in Game 3, ahead of another home game of course in Game 4. Having Thornton back, and productive if the early returns are any indication, looks like a series-changing event and the Sharks could now be in line for a second straight deep playoff run.