Grier, Lemieux to return to Sharks' lineup

Sharks forwards Mike Grier and Claude Lemieux are returning to the lineup just in time for the Sharks' final push for the Presidents' Trophy.

Both forwards have been out since March 3 and missed 17 games. San Jose entered Tuesday night's game at Colorado with a three-point lead on Boston for the NHL's best record.

Grier was out with a knee injury, while the 43-year-old Lemieux had an upper-body injury.

The Sharks reassigned forwards Brad Staubitz and Jamie McGinn to their top affiliate in Worcester, Mass., to make room for the veterans.

San Jose could clinch the league's best record and home ice throughout the playoffs with wins in its final three games against Colorado, Phoenix and Los Angeles.