Blue Jackets at Sharks
THE STORY: The San Jose Sharks will look for their third straight win Thursday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. With a victory Wednesday in Anaheim, the Sharks jumped from ninth in the Western Conference to third by overtaking the Los Angeles Kings for top spot in the Pacific Division. San Jose is 12-7-2 on home ice this season. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, sit dead last in the Central Division and Western Conference. Columbus is 4-12-2 on the road. This is the first of four meetings between the two teams, three of which will be played this month. San Jose won the last meeting 3-2 in Columbus, but the Blue Jackets did earn a 3-0 shutout in the last meeting in San Jose. Captain Rick Nash scored all three goals.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET. FS-O (HD), CSN-CA (HD)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (10-23-5): Despite holding a two-goal lead after two periods, Columbus dropped a 4-2 decision at home to the Washington Capitals. G Steve Mason made 21 saves to fall to 5-16-2 on the season. John Moore and Sammy Pahlsson both scored their second goals of the season in the game. Nash and R.J. Umberger collected assists for points in back-to-back contests. Nash has five goals and 11 points in his last 14 games. Umberger has three goals and 10 points in his last 12. The Blue Jackets, who begin a four-game road trip, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 outings.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (21-11-4): San Jose is coming off a 3-1 road win over the Ducks. It was the Sharks' first win in three attempts against their struggling division rivals. Brad Winchester and Benn Ferriero both scored their respective fourth goals of the season and Joe Pavelski recorded his 16th of the season in the win. G Antti Niemi made 26 saves to improve to 17-7-4 on the campaign. He has made 13 consecutive starts. San Jose is 6-1-3 in its last 10 games. This is the first of two home games for the Sharks before they embark on a four-game road trip.
OVERTIME:
1. The Sharks (76.5) and Blue Jackets (74.6) sit 28th and 29th respectively in penalty killing percentage.
2. Niemi is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, and has only given up 10 goals over that span.
3. Fighting through an injury-riddled season, Jeff Carter has 10 goals in 27 games.