Canucks at Sharks
The San Jose Sharks would like to avert the fortune that followed the Vancouver Canucks when they answered a season-high four-game winning streak by losing four of their next six games. The Sharks aim to rebound after dropping a lopsided decision to Tampa Bay and finish a five-game homestand on a positive note Saturday when the Canucks pay a visit to SAP Center in San Jose.
Captain Joe Pavelski, who remains one goal shy of 300 for his career, notched an assist in a 5-1 loss to the Lightning Wednesday to increase his point total to three (two goals, assists) in his last four games. Pavelski had three assists versus Vancouver last season and reigning Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns scored one goal and set up four others as the Sharks outscored the Canucks 17-5 to win all five encounters between the Pacific Division rivals. Sven Baertschi had a goal and an assist against San Jose last season and netted his fifth goal of the 2017-18 season in the first period Thursday, but Vancouver was outskated the rest of the way in a 4-1 setback to Anaheim. "This should be a wake-up call for us," Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson said. "We've been outplayed a few games in a row here and we need to pick it up. ... We got what we deserved."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC, NBCSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (8-6-2): Bo Horvat was none-too-pleased with his team playing outside of itself on Thursday, with the 22-year-old contending that Vancouver needs to simplify its offense and its opportunities with the puck. "It's all on us," Horvat said. "For the most part, it's us executing. It's us getting pucks to the net and getting bodies in front. We are trying to make the pretty play or the pass the pass in front (when) we should be putting pucks in the net and getting guys there." Horvat had erupted for six points (two goals, four assists) in three games before being held off the scoresheet against Anaheim.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (8-6-0): Joonas Donskoi was quoted earlier this week as saying that his "confidence comes from my skating," and the 25-year-old Finn has been moving his feet consistently toward the goal this season. Donskoi continued his trend of scoring a goal in every other game on Wednesday, but he has been limited to just four assists in seven career encounters versus the Canucks. Martin Jones, who is looking to rebound after surrendering four goals in an outing for the first time since his season debut, sports a scintillating 6-1-0 mark with a 1.43 goals-against average in his career versus Vancouver.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose C Joe Thornton, who has set up 1,015 career goals, is one assist shy of matching Joe Sakic for 12th place in NHL history.
2. Vancouver is just 2-for-16 on the power play in November.
3. Sharks C Logan Couture (team-leading eight goals, 12 assists) has been held off the scoresheet in all three games in November.