San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton is hoping to make his 2017 playoff debut on Sunday in Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Thornton said the decision is in the hands of the team's medical staff and coaches as to whether he takes warmup and/or plays. Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer would not commit to Thornton dressing Sunday, but said taking warmup would be the next step for Thornton towards playing.

The veteran centre said Sunday morning he didn't push himself in the team's morning tank to save energy for the game.

Thornton has been out since April 2 after appearing to suffer a knee injury against the Vancouver Canucks.

The 37-year-old recorded seven goals and added 43 assists in 79 games with the Sharks during the regular season. He had 18 assists and 21 points in 24 postseason games last year with the Sharks.

Sunday's contest will mark the 157th playoff game of Thornton's career. He has never won a Stanley Cup.

 

Oilers Practice Lines - Ryan Rishaug, TSN

Forwards

Maroon - McDavid - Draisaitl
Lucic- Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
Caggiula - Letestu - Kassian
Pouliot - Desharnais - Slepyshev 

Defence

Klefbom - Larsson
Sekera - Russel
Nurse - Benning  

Goalie

Talbot 

Sharks Practice Lines - Ryan Rishaug, TSN

Forwards

Karlsson - Couture - Pavelski 
Hansen - Marleau - Ward
Boedker - Hertl - Donskoi
Meier - Tierney - Sorenson 

Defence

Martin - Burns 
Braun - Vlasic
Dillon - Schlemko

Goalie

Jones