SAN JOSE — Joe Thornton, to no one’s shock, will not be available when the Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday in a game that will go a long way in determining who will have home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
As long as Thornton and Logan Couture remain out, an opportunity remains for other Sharks players to show the coaching staff they belong to be in the lineup for the opening game of the playoffs — quite possibly against these same Oilers.
“Absolutely. That’s the message I want to give them,” said rookie forward Kevin Labanc, who had the overtime winner for the Sharks in their 3-2 win over the Oilers on Dec.