Burns will skate with Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier, filling in for Tomas Hertl, who sustained an upper-body injury Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Burns played forward for most of the 2013-14 season before returning to defense the following season.
Defenseman Tim Heed was recalled from the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League and will play. The Sharks are in second place in the Pacific Division, two points ahead of the Calgary Flames and three points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
Vancouver has lost five of six following a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. They are in seventh place in the Pacific, 16 points behind Calgary. Anders Nilsson could start after Jacob Markstom was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots Wednesday. Nilsson made 20 saves in relief.