Sharks at Maple Leafs
THE STORY: Two struggling teams lock horns Thursday as the San Jose Sharks visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. San Jose, which has lost four straight games and seven of nine, enters tied in points with red-hot Phoenix for first place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks are 1-4-1 on their season-high nine-game road trip and 2-7-2 in their last 11 away from home. Toronto is clinging to eighth place in the East as it has lost six of its last seven contests. The Maple Leafs, who have earned at least one point in four of their last five at the Air Canada Centre (3-1-1), dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to New Jersey on Tuesday in the opener of a four-game homestand.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN California (San Jose), TSN, RDS (Toronto)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (31-20-7): Former Maple Leaf Dominic Moore is expected to miss Thursday's game with an undisclosed injury. Acquired from Tampa Bay last Thursday, Moore blocked a shot early in the first period of Tuesday's loss to Columbus and did not return. "That didn't help us," coach Todd McLellan said. "Losing his legs and losing his ability to play hurt us." Moore has notched one assist in three contests with San Jose after registering four goals and 15 assists in 56 matches with the Lightning. All-Star Logan Couture has collected nine goals and 10 assists over his last 14 games.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (29-24-7): Phil Kessel's next point will be his 65th of the season, a new career high. The All-Star registered 64 points last campaign. Kessel also is five goals shy of matching his high of 36 set in 2008-09 while with Boston. Carl Gunnarson returned to the lineup Tuesday at New Jersey after missing three games with a sprained ankle. The defenseman registered two shots on goal while playing over 22 1/2 minutes.
OVERTIME:
1. The Sharks have won four of their last five meetings with the Maple Leafs.
2. Toronto is just 9-21-2 in its last 32 contests against Pacific Division opponents.