Thornton (shoulder) will not be available for Thursday's game against the Blues, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Though he'll sit out a fourth straight game, Thornton has resumed skating and was optimistic about his chances of playing Saturday, when the Sharks will host the Rangers. The 35-year-old didn't experience much healing in his first few days after injuring the shoulder in a Dec. 31 collision with the Ducks' Clayton Stoner, but does feel that he's experienced progress more recently. With a positive practice session Friday, Thornton could receive the green light to resume playing.