San Jose Sharks' Matt Nieto expected to be available for Game 1

San Jose Sharks forward Matt Nieto is expected to be available for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.

The 23-year-old has missed the past seven games since suffering an upper-body injury while crashing into the net in Game 6 of the Sharks' second-round series against Nashville. He practiced Saturday, but did not skate with any of the team's first four lines and may not see the ice even if he does suit up.

Nieto has one goal and three points in 11 playoff games this year.

"He brings speed," Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer said, per NHL.com and The Sports Xchange correspondent Eric Gilmore. "He's one of our faster forwards. He's another guy that gives us a little bit of a different dimension and a little bit of a different element.

"I'll know more by Monday, but I'd anticipate that he'd be available."