Sharks center Joe Thornton was clearly missing something during Tuesday night's Game 5 loss to the Canucks, and his ailing left arm might have been the reason why he came up short on two great scoring chances in the first period.
After the series-ending defeat — a 3-2 decision in double overtime — Thornton said he played through a separated shoulder, according to the Mercury News. Thornton suffered the injury in Game 4, when Raffi Torres drilled him near the boards. Thornton left the game, missed Monday's optional skate and told reporters Tuesday morning that he was 100 percent healthy.
Thornton has deservedly been criticized throughout for his postseason track record, but he had 17 points during the Sharks' run to the Western Conference final. He was also terrific in San Jose's series clinchers against the Kings and Red Wings.
Thornton started strong in Tuesday's first period with four shots, including a pair of chances that Roberto Luongo turned aside with great saves. Thornton didn't display any noticeable pain after the two shots, but he did leave the ice in pain during pregame warm-ups.
Thornton's play tapered off greatly after the first period. He finished as a minus-2, and he lost a faceoff in the Sharks' zone before Ryan Kesler's game-tying goal with 13.2 seconds remaining in the third period.
