Nieto (upper body) told reporters he is not cleared for contact and will miss Game 3 on Thursday, but still hopes to return during Western Conference Finals, Curtis Pashelka of Bay Area News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto's inability to participate in contract drills at practice severely limits the amount of work he is getting. While the winger remains optimistic a return in near, it does not bode well that he remains partially sidelined. When healthy, the 23-year-old contributed just three points to the Sharks playoff run, which may put doubts into coach Peter DeBoer's mind of whether or not to even use Nieto when he is ready to go.