Nieto (hand) will return to the Sharks' lineup Thursday for Game 1 of San Jose's first-round playoff series against the Kings, NHL.com's Eric Gilmore reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto is expected to slot into a bottom-six role Thursday against the Kings, skating alongside Melker Karlsson and Patrick Marleau on San Jose's third line. The Sharks will be happy to have the speedy winger back in action in time for the playoffs, but Nieto likely won't garner much attention in playoff pools, as the 2011 second-round pick has only notched 17 points in 67 games this season.