Thornton’s arrival could turn San Jose’s fortunes

Until Joe Thornton finds a place to live in the Bay Area, the San Jose Sharks’ newest center will crash with family.

“We’ve got a spare room, and he can come and go as he pleases,” said left wing Scott Thornton, Joe’s cousin and new linemate. “He won’t have to worry about a hotel, and he’ll get a few home-cooked meals from my wife. …

“He’s bigger than me, though, so I can’t lay down the law too much.”

The Sharks hope the rest of the Western Conference has a similar experience.

With Thornton and captain Patrick Marleau centering their top two lines, the Sharks have a whole new look that’s difficult to match or defend. And if the early results are any indication, the brawny forward could be just what the Sharks need to turn around a disappointing start.

San Jose won the final two games of its road trip after acquiring the NHL’s seventh-leading scorer from Boston on Wednesday for forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart.

The Sharks beat Buffalo 5-0 on Friday to snap a 10-game losing streak, followed by a come-from-behind, 5-4 victory in Toronto. Thornton had two assists in each of his first two games.

Thornton went through his first full practice with his new teammates Monday, still centering his cousin and Jonathan Cheechoo during workouts at the Sharks’ training complex. He’s expected to get a raucous welcome tonight when he makes his home debut at the Shark Tank against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Though initially stung and disappointed by the trade, Thornton quickly has warmed to the idea – both during the Sharks’ revitalizing wins on the road, and then on a Sunday tour of the snow-free South Bay with his cousin and defenseman Scott Hannan.

“I’ve got no problems with the weather,” Thornton said, a brand-new Sharks cap on his head as he removed his pads at his new locker. “But it’s really about being on the ice, and that’s where I really like us. I like the way we work in practice, and I like the support from the whole team. It’s been great so far.”

What’s more, the 6-foot-4 center – “That seems a little low to me,” head coach Ron Wilson quipped – is a valuable intimidator on a team that’s been missing injured enforcer Scott Parker all season.

“He brings a lot of respect to our team,” Scott Thornton said. “I think other teams are going to have to back off a little bit more.”