Matthew Nieto might be on the Sharks' second line in Game 1 of the first round. If that's the case, then Nieto will be playing alongside Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture. He had 10 goals and 24 points in 66 games in his rookie campaign.

The Sharks have assigned Matthew Nieto to Ontario of the ECHL to be close to his mother. She is scheduled to have cancer-related surgery next week and Nieto will rejoin the team afterward.

Matthew Nieto scored a goal in San Jose's 4-3 shootout victory over Columbus. Nieto is riding a three-game point streak, giving him nine goals and 20 points in 53 contests this season. The 21-year-old rookie obviously hasn't had much fantasy value in 2013-14, but he will be worth keeping an eye on next season now that he's established himself with the Sharks.

One game after being a healthy scratch, Matthew Nieto played on the top line Sunday. Nieto replaced Brent Burns on the top line alongside Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton and scored the game-winning goal so it's likely he will remain there in the short term. Nieto has seven goals and 16 points this season in 48 games but his fantasy value will rise significantly if he remains with the two Joes.

Matthew Nieto returned to action on Thursday February 27.

Matthew Nieto won't play Friday because of an apparent foot injury. He didn't play in the third and he was seen wearing a walking boot after blocking a shot from Trevor Daley during Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over Dallas. The rookie forward has six goals and 15 points in 46 games this season.

The only Shark to have any success against the Flyers in a 5-2 loss Monday evening was Matt Nieto. Nieto now has six goals and nine assists in 45 games this season. Brent Burns snapped his six-game pointless streak with an assist, while Joe Thornton ended his four-game point drought with his 550th assist as a Shark.

Matthew Nieto and Brent Burns switched lines on Saturday. Nieto found himself on the first line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski while Burns took over Nieto's spot alongside Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels. Nieto has four goals and 13 points in 40 games but has been held off the scoresheet in the last three games after picking up seven points in his previous 10 games.

Matthew Nieto had a goal and an assist on Saturday. Nieto has two goals and seven points in his last 10 games. That gives the 21-year-old rookie 13 points in 37 contests in 2013-14.

Matthew Nieto found the back of the net in San Jose's 3-0 win on Thursday. Nieto has stepped up lately with five points in his last nine games. That gives the rookie three goals and 11 points in his last 36 contests.