Stars at Sharks
THE STORY: The Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks engaged in one of the chippiest affairs of the season last month. Round 2 goes Thursday night in San Jose as the Sharks entertain the division-rival stars in a pivotal game for both clubs. San Jose prevailed 4-1 in their first encounter Nov. 19, a game that featured five misconducts, three separate fights and 110 minutes in penalties. It also marked the low point of the season for the Stars, as San Jose sent them to their fifth consecutive loss following an 11-3 start to the season. Dallas has responded well, going 4-2-1 since to move into second place in the Pacific Division, two points back of the first-place Phoenix Coyotes and two points ahead of the Sharks. It has been a rough stretch for San Jose, which fell 2-1 to Minnesota on Tuesday for its fourth loss in the last five games. Thursday marks the finale of a four-game homestand during which the Sharks have gone an unimpressive 1-2-0.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest, Comcast SportsNet California
ABOUT THE STARS (15-10-1): Dallas netminder Andrew Raycroft has played every game since regular starter Kari Lehtonen went down with a groin injury last month. That streak is going to be broken at some point in the near future - though head coach Glen Gulutzan didn't exactly say when. He did say that, with a stretch of three road games in four nights coming up next week, recent callup Richard Bachman will likely make his first NHL start during that span.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (14-9-1): Goal-scoring has been a problem for San Jose, which boasts an assortment of gifted offensive players but has 11 goals in its past six games - four of those coming in a win over Montreal on Dec. 1. "There is some frustration," coach Todd McLellan said following Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Minnesota, a game in which San Jose outshot the Wild 42-21. "You can see it on the bench and you can feel it in the locker room."
OVERTIME:
1. Eric Nystrom has five goals in his last five games, giving him 10 on the season. The journeyman forward's career high is 11, set with the Calgary Flames two seasons ago.
2. San Jose has had Raycroft's number over his career, saddling him with a 1-6-0 record and a 3.60 goals-against average in eight career games.
3. The road team has prevailed in five of the last six head-to-head meetings.