Donskoi out for Sharks against Golden Knights in Game 3

Donskoi out for Sharks against Golden Knights in Game 3

Tierney replaces injured forward on top line with Pavelski, Kane

SAN JOSE -- Chris Tierney will center the No. 1 line for the San Jose Sharks against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round at SAP Center on Monday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS).

Tierney will replace Joonas Donskoi, who sustained a lower-body injury in a 4-3 double-overtime win in Game 2 on Saturday, on a line with Joe Pavelski and Evander Kane. Pavelski moves from center to wing and Kane returns after a one-game suspension for cross-checking forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare in the third period of a 7-0 win by the Golden Knights in Game 1 on Thursday.

The best-of-7 series is tied 1-1.

"On paper, it should work," said Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, who did not beleive the injury to Donskoi was serious. "Chris is a very intelligent, high-IQ player. He moves the puck around. And Pavelski and Kane both bring their own specialties to the game. But lines on paper really don't mean anything. They sound great until the game starts.

"We'll see how it works. I'm hopeful it works but (that) our other lines work. That's probably more important. If it works but our other lines aren't working we might have to make some changes just because of that."

Tierney said the adjustment to a new line should be relatively seamless, since the three have occasionally played together this season.

"They're easy players to play with," Tierney said. "They're top-line guys for a reason. They just make players around them better. I just want to bring my top game and be able to help the team, and hopefully our line can generate something tonight."

Although they haven't played much together, Kane scored four goals in a 7-4 win at the Calgary Flames on March 16, his biggest offensive output with San Jose, with Tierney being moved up to the top line during that game. Tierney had the primary assist on Kane's third goal and was also on the ice for the fourth, which was set up by Pavelski.

Barclay Goodrow is expected to center Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc on the third line.

Vegas coach Gerard Gallant would not confirm any lineup changes but forward Tomas Tatar likely will make his first appearance in the series. Ryan Carpenter, who has one assist in six games, likely will be scratched.