Erik Karlsson to play Game 5, but Sharks are making one lineup change

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SAN JOSE — Defenseman Erik Karlsson dressed for Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues but the Sharks did make one lineup change for Sunday’s matinee.

Forward Micheal Haley was reinserted into the lineup and Marcus Sorensen was a scratch. Sorensen, who played 9 minutes and 8 seconds in Game 4 of the series, a 2-1 Sharks loss, did not take part in pregame warmups Sunday morning.

Haley came in for Sorensen in Game 3 of the series, a Sharks 5-4 overtime win, but was scratched for Friday’s Game 4 as Sorensen came back into the lineup. Haley had played in nine playoff games this year before Sunday, averaging 6:13 of ice time per game.

Haley played on the Sharks’ fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and Joonas Donskoi on Sunday. Melker Karlsson started Game 5 on the Sharks’ third line with Joe Thornton and Kevin Labanc.

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Erik Karlsson was in obvious discomfort toward the end of Game 4 as he missed a handful of shifts. He returned to the game for the final two minutes as the Sharks tried to tie the game with goalie Martin Jones pulled for the extra attacker.

The Sharks did not provide a health update on Karlsson after Friday’s game or on Saturday morning, leading to some speculation as to whether the two-time Norris Trophy winner might be available to play Sunday.

Karlsson, who missed 27 of the Sharks’ final 33 regular season games, has played in all 18 playoff games so far. He had 16 points coming into Sunday and is averaging over 25 minutes per night.