SAN JOSE — Definitive answers regarding the health status of Sharks forward Raffi Torres and his availability for Game 1 of San Jose’s first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings were in short supply Monday.

Both Torres and Sharks coach Todd McLellan were noncommittal when asked if the rugged San Jose winger would be ready to play in Thursday’s postseason opener, as a final determination is not expected until hours before Game 1 begins.

Torres hasn’t played since March 8, missing the final 17 regular-season games, as the Sharks’ trainers and coaching staff sought to ensure that he would be ready for the postseason. Torres was a full participant in Monday’s practice as he skated on the fourth line.

“We’ll see where he is on Thursday if he’s ready to play or not,” McLellan said. “He skated today with the group. He has good days and bad days. He’s good enough to play and contribute without hurting the team, certainly looking toward helping the team, he’ll definitely be in.

“If he can’t do that, then he won’t play.”

Torres missed the first four-plus months of the regular season as he recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September. He returned Feb. 27 and played in five of six games before he sat with what the team described as general soreness from his surgically repaired knee.

Torres did make a positive impact in the games he did play, with three goals and two assists as he averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time per game.

Torres had said previously that when he did return, he wanted to make sure he would be able to play the rugged, on-the-edge style that he’s employed for the duration of his NHL career.

Asked if he’s capable of playing that style now, Torres said, “I think I am, but like I said, I won’t really know until I get out there and get into a battle or something like that. That’s kind of where I stand right now.”

Last season, Torres helped contribute to the Sharks’ four-game sweep of the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round of the playoffs, but was suspended for the final six games of the second-round series against Los Angeles for a questionable hit on Kings forward Jarret Stoll. Los Angeles, with home ice advantage, won the series in seven games.

“The team has done a great job all year,” Torres said. “They did a great job last year in the playoffs. … One player is not going to make a huge difference, it’s a team sport. Everybody has to buy in to win games.”

For more on the Sharks, see David Pollak’s Working the Corners blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/PollakOnSharks.