Sharks at Coyotes
THE STORY: The San Jose Sharks have certainly found their offense over the All-Star break. After scoring just six goals in their previous four games, the Sharks have exploded for 11 in a pair of wins since returning to action. Coach Todd McLellan's club will look to continue its scoring ways on Saturday when it visits the desert to face the Pacific Division foe Phoenix Coyotes. San Jose has dominated the rivalry as of late, winning three in a row and 10 of 12 versus Phoenix. While San Jose has ascended to the top of the division, Phoenix has plummeted into fourth place in the Pacific after losing 13 of its last 17 contests (4-8-5). The Coyotes dropped to 1-2-1 on its current six-game homestand with Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the division cellar-dwelling Anaheim Ducks.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSCA, FSAZ+
ABOUT THE SHARKS (29-14-6): All-Star C Logan Couture extended his point streak to five games with a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. Couture, who has collected three goals and five assists during the stretch, has recorded eight points in as many career games versus the Coyotes. LW Ryane Clowe returned from a two-week absence due to a facial fracture and scored a goal. Clowe also scored in the team's season-opening 6-3 win over the Coyotes on Oct. 8.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (22-21-8): G Mike Smith stopped all 31 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over the Sharks on Nov. 12. When November came to an end, however, so did Smith's winning ways as he has emerged victorious just six times in his last 20 games (6-10-4). On Tuesday, Smith yielded a natural hat trick to light-scoring Andrew Cogliano during the second period. "Smitty's been a good player for us this year, he just didn't have a good night," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said.
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose has recorded a power-play goal in four of its last five contests. "I think our power play is starting to look more like it should," McLellan said. "There is some emotion. They are starting to shoot it a little bit more. You sense a more confident group when they go on the ice."
2. Phoenix RW Radim Vrbata has nine points in his last 12 games, but he has mustered just 13 in 35 career contests versus San Jose.