Sharks forward Joe Thornton will not play in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden Knights, regardless of what day this week it begins. Pete DeBoer is sure of that.
But San Jose’s third-year coach is less certain whether Thornton will make an appearance at some point in the best-of-seven series.
“It’s not on my radar,” DeBoer said.
Thornton continues to practice with the Sharks’ extra forwards as he recovers from an injured medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
And the future Hall of Famer’s looming return could be the X factor for San Jose in what many expect to be a close series.