Pavelski scores in return to Sharks lineup in Game 7 against Avalanche
Forward hadn't played in series, gets first-period goal, assist
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
SAN JOSE -- Joe Pavelski scored for the San Jose Sharks in his return to the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of the Western Conference Second Round at SAP Center on Wednesday (NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS).
Pavelski, who was uncertain to play until warmups, gave San Jose a 1-0 lead 5:57 into the first period and then assisted on a goal by Tomas Hertl that made it 2-0 at 11:35.
San Jose coach Peter DeBoer had said the forward and Sharks captain continued to improve since he sustained an undisclosed injury April 23, when his head hit the ice after he was cross-checked by Vegas Golden Knights forward Cody Eakin in Game 7 of the first round.
[RELATED: Complete Sharks vs. Avalanche series coverage]
Pavelski had not played in the second round. He skated with the Sharks on Monday for the first time since the injury and said afterward he was ready to return to the best-of-7 series.
"Yeah, it's a possibility, I think, and we'll see," Pavelski said the morning of Game 6, a 4-3 overtime loss. "But it still really is day to day, I think, and go from there. I wish we had a set-in-stone answer. 'Go here, do this and be ready.' We're just kind of taking everything into play."
Pavelski led the Sharks with 38 goals in the regular season. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in the first round.
The winner of Game 7 will play the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final.