San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton is expected to play a potential elimination game in Game 5 of the Western Conference final despite leaving the previous game with an injury. Thornton was hurt on a shoulder-to-shoulder check by Raffi Torres in the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday that put the Sharks in a 3-1 series hole. He did not return to the game and did not take part in an optional practice Monday before the team flew to Vancouver. But coach Todd McLellan said he expects Thornton to play Tuesday night, even if he is not 100 percent. Thornton was not available to the media on Monday but told coach Todd McLellan he will be ready to play. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2011/news/story?id=6580406
