Joe Thornton was suspended for Game 4 by the Department of Player Safety for a check he threw on Tomas Nosek during the second frame of game 3. The San Jose Sharks are one of the deepest teams in the playoffs and that depth will be tested without one of their most effective skaters.
Jumbo’s presence will be sorely missed but his absence opens up the opportunity for some of the younger San Jose Sharks to fill the void left by the future Hall of Famer. Expect players like Tomas Hertl, Joe Pavelski, and Logan Couture to fill the roles left by Jumbo at 5v5 and the powerplay.