Nieto could miss Thursday's pivotal Game 7 against Nashville with an undisclosed injury, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto was absent from practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day. Fantasy owners are unlikely to notice if he does sit out again the Predators as the winger tallied a mere eight goals and nine assists during the regular season, although he has added three points in the playoffs. If the 23-year-old is unable to suit up, look for Tommy Wingels to fill his spot in the depth chart.

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.

Nieto is said to be "on track" for a return to the lineup in Game 1 of San Jose's series against the Kings, reports Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area.

EDGE Analysis

Kurz also reports that Nieto is practicing with Patrick Marleau and Melker Karlsson on the team's third line. They're throwing him right back into the mix with some good linemates. He'll have a chance to succeed, but since it's the postseason, don't assume he's at 100 percent health until you see it.

Nieto is expected to be out "longer term" with a hand injury suffered on Thursday against Arizona, reports Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Peter DeBoer addressed injuries on Saturday and said he expects Nieto to be back by the postseason. That means there are serious questions about whether he'll play another regular season game this year.

Nieto had an assist and a pair of shots in Tuesday's win over Edmonton.

EDGE Analysis

The assist was Nieto's first point in six games and sees his goal drought hit 11 games. After last season's 27-point campaign, his 17 points in nine fewer games is disappointing and not where anyone hoped he'd be this season.

Nieto didn't get on the scoresheet and didn't take a single shot in Wednesday's shootout loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto started the game in the top six and was demoted to the fourth line during the second period. Recent acquisition Nick Spaling took Nieto's spot on Patrick Marleau's line. With the addition of Spaling, Nieto may be at risk of seeing his ice time and role reduced more permanently.

Nieto racked up a goal, an assist, went plus-2 and added a hit in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto ended his four-game pointless drought in style with a scoresheet filling night on Tuesday. Still, the goal was just his eighth and the assist was only his sixth in 51 games played this season. While it was certainly impressive for the 23-year-old to record two points despite only being on the ice for 13:31, don't expect him to start racking up the points on a nightly basis anytime soon.

Nieto came up with a shorthanded goal Saturday night in a 7-0 win over the Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

This was Nieto's second shorty of the season. The 23-year-old winger is averaging 1:19 of ice time in shorthanded situations. Don't come to expect Nieto to suddenly break out offensively as the Leafs simply didn't show up Saturday and Nieto is cemented in a bottom-six role and his average ice time of 12:49 severely limits his upside.

Nieto, who missed his last game with a lower-body injury, returned for Monday's game against the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto was held off the scoresheet and failed to register a shot, but he was on the ice for 11:13, which is a standard amount of playing time for the bottom-six winger.

Nieto (lower body) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Wild, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

The exact nature of Nieto's ailment remains unclear, but it has put his availability for Saturday's matchup with Minnesota in doubt. If Nieto is unable to suit up for Saturday's contest, recently recalled Ryan Carpenter will make his NHL debut in the 23-year-old winger's absence.