Joe Thornton Returns from Knee Injury for Game 3 of Oilers vs. Sharks

For the first time since picking up a knee injury on April 2, Joe Thornton is in the lineup for the San Jose Sharks.

The team made the official announcement on its Twitter account:

San Jose enters Sunday's Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers with the series tied at 1-1.

Thornton isn't quite the player he used to be, with just seven goals in 79 games this season, but the former Hart Trophy winner finished second on the team this year with 43 assists. He has always been one of the top passers in the league and should be able to provide instant help to an offense that was shutout last game.

The Sharks should also benefit from the 37-year-old's veteran leadership with 156 career playoff games entering Sunday.

If he can stay healthy throughout the postseason, Thornton might be able to help San Jose improve upon last year's result and finally bring home a Stanley Cup title.

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