Sharks at Predators
THE STORY: For the San Jose Sharks, the end of their extended road trip can’t come soon enough. The Sharks have lost five of seven on a season-long nine-game jaunt that began Feb. 12. Fresh off a win in their last time out, the Sharks will be attempting to win consecutive games for the first time in over three weeks on Saturday when they travel to face the Nashville Predators. The teams have split the season series, each winning on the other’s home ice.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSNC
ABOUT THE SHARKS (32-20-7): San Jose’s recent struggles have coincided with Phoenix’s surge as the Coyotes have worked themselves into a first-place tie in the Pacific. The Sharks do carry at least a small amount of momentum into Saturday’s game, having snapped a four-game skid with a 2-1 win over Toronto. Patrick Marleau scored both goals, including one with the man advantage for the NHL’s third-best power-play unit. Joe Pavelski has three goals and an assist in the two games against the Predators this season.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (35-19-7): Entrenched firmly in the No. 5 spot out West, the Predators have been playing consistent hockey of late with a 3-1-1 mark over their last five. Nashville snapped a two-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout loss to St. Louis in its last time out. Pekka Rinne, who leads the NHL with 33 wins, has fared well in his career when facing San Jose. He is 4-2-3 with a 2.48 goals-against average in 10 outings. Defenseman Ryan Suter has 11 points in 13 games since returning from an injury.
OVERTIME:
1. Recently acquired center Dominic Moore missed the Sharks’ last game with an undisclosed injury. He is questionable to face the Predators.
2. Nashville has not allowed a power-play goal in its past five games.
3. The Predators completed a trade Friday, sending forward Jerred Smithson to Florida for a sixth-round draft pick.