Sharks at Avalanche
THE STORY: The Colorado Avalanche caught the San Jose Sharks at a very bad time the last time these two teams met. Things aren't going nearly as well this time around as the Sharks look to dig out of a lengthy slump Tuesday against the equally chilly Avalanche in Denver. San Jose's 4-1 victory over Colorado on Nov. 20 came at the tail end of a 7-1-1 streak that lifted the Sharks into top spot in the Pacific Division. It has been downhill since for San Jose, which has dropped six of eight to slip a point behind the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes. Tuesday marks the finale of a three-game road trip, and the opener of a home-and-home series with the Avalanche. Colorado is enduring its own struggles, having dropped three straight following a three-game winning streak. The Avalanche were completely overwhelmed on their trip through Western Canada, getting pummeled by a combined 13-3 tally in losses to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Versus, TSN2
ABOUT THE SHARKS (15-10-2): San Jose coach Todd McLellan blamed fatigue for Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Chicago, a game in which the Sharks were outshot 21-4 in the third period and overtime and squandered a one-goal lead with 1:06 left in regulation. “I think it was pretty evident one team had played three games in four nights and the other one was fresh," he said after the game. The Sharks open a six-game homestand Thursday that extends to the end of 2011.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (13-16-1): Among the things that went wrong for Colorado up in Canada, the power play was completely powerless. The Avalanche went 0 for 10 on the three-game trek and has struck only four times in its last 46 opportunities overall. Colorado captain Milan Hejduk spoke out following a 4-1 loss to Edmonton in the road finale. "We need to play with more pride," he said. "We have to have a hard look in the mirror and bounce back."
OVERTIME:
1. The Sharks and Avalanche are two of only three teams who have yet to suffer a shootout loss this season. The Detroit Red Wings are the other.
2. San Jose has prevailed in eight of the last 10 meetings, but five of those have gone to extra time.