Joe Thornton will be available for Tuesdays must-win game against the Vancouver Canucks (9 p.m. ET, Versus, CBC, RDS). Coach Todd McLellan said Monday that despite his captain missing the final 10 minutes of Game 4 Sunday with an apparent shoulder injury, Thornton will be in the lineup Tuesday for Game 5 in Vancouver with the Sharks in a 3-1 hole in the Western Conference Finals. "When Joe Thornton comes to you and tells you hes playing, hes playing," McLellan said. "That can happen in exhibition season, that can happen at St. Thomas (Thorntons hometown in Ontario) at a charity game in the middle of the summer, so expect Jumbo to play (Tuesday)." Thornton did not participate in Mondays optional practice, but few of the Sharks regulars did. McLellan said Thornton was using the day to rest and receive treatment on his injury. Thornton was not available to speak to the media at the conclusion of practice. Its possible Thornton, who is tied for second in playoff scoring with 17 points, might not be at 100 percent when he takes the ice at Rogers Arena on Tuesday. However, his teammates agree that Thornton at less than 100 percent is better than most players who are completely healthy. "Hes a presence in the locker room. Im not even sure myself what the situation is going to be," defenseman Dan Boyle said. "Just having him around is something we need. Well see what happens (Tuesday), but hes going to be there. I know that." "You like to see him in the lineup, thats for sure," linemate Patrick Marleau said. "Hes a huge help and obviously a top player." Thornton is in his first season as Sharks captain. The decision to give him the "C" was something that received a lot of scrutiny and criticism, but McLellan said he hasnt regretted the decision all season, and Thornton demanding to play through his injury is another example of why hes the teams unquestioned leader. "There was a lot of questions out there as to whether Joe would be the right captain or not," McLellan said. "When I say out there, I mean exterior, not inside our walls, locker room or organization. We felt very good about it. We felt for us to have success, he needed to be our captain, was prepared to be our captain. I think he learned a lot from (previous Sharks captain) Rob Blake. Hes carried that torch or that tradition on. "I cant think of any times during this year, this season, where I didnt feel good about him being our ultimate leader." Besides the willingness to play through what could be a significant injury, Thornton showed he wanted to be a better all-round player. Thorntons dedication to the defensive side of the game resulted in a League-leading 114 takeaways; hes tied for second in the postseason with 20 takeaways. "Jumbo is an extremely coachable player," McLellan said. "Hes receptive to becoming a better player, improving in all different areas. Hes asking for ways. Hes prepared to apply them. Hes very open to all of that. That isnt always said by superstar players. A lot of them can be very stubborn, not buy in, not be prepared. Hes accepting playing any way he has to play to be successful, not necessarily as an individual, but team-wise. Hes been pretty good that way." Logan Couture wasnt sure if Thornton would play Tuesday, but said even if he couldnt, its not about one individual at this time of year. Its going to take a major effort from everyone if the Sharks want to win three straight against the team that won the Presidents Trophy this season. "Im sure Joe will play. Hes a warrior," Couture said. "He plays through a lot. He plays hurt all the time. Im sure hell be good (Tuesday). "In the playoffs you need every single player because these are the best teams that are left. Were going to need every single player to win (Tuesday)." Not only did Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo believe Thornton would play, but also said his injury wont do anything to hamper his game. "I expect Joe to play like Joe," Luongo said. "Its the playoffs. You suck it up and you play. Im sure hell be just as effective (Tuesday) as hes been the whole series." Follow Dave Lozo on Twitter: @DaveLozo
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