Pavelski 'not in tonight' for Sharks in Game 5, getting closer to return

Forward hasn't played since sustaining undisclosed injury in finale of first round

Joe Pavelski

© Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

By Tim Campbell
@TimNHL NHL.com Staff Writer

SAN JOSE -- Joe Pavelski will not play for the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, SN), but he appears closer to getting back into the lineup.

"Getting better," coach Peter DeBoer said of San Jose's captain after the morning skate. "Starting to skate regular. Not in tonight."
Pavelski, a forward who sustained an undisclosed injury in Game 7 of the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights on April 23, resumed skating Wednesday and was on the ice again Saturday after the Sharks' optional morning skate at Solar 4 America Ice.
RELATED: [Complete Sharks vs. Avalanche coverage]
He went through drills with assistant Rob Zettler for about 25 minutes. When Pavelski left the ice, there was applause from members of a youth team waiting for their ice time to begin.
The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2. Game 6 is Monday in Denver.
Forward Joonas Donskoi, who hasn't played since he sustained an undisclosed injury in Game 6 of the first round, hopes to play and will be a game-time decision.
"I'm now feeling better," Donskoi said, "and feel like I'm ready to go."

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