Sharks at Stars
THE STORY: A nine-game road trip last month triggered the downfall for the skidding San Jose Sharks. A four-game road trip that kicks off Wednesday night at division rival Dallas could go a long way in determining San Jose's playoff chances. The Sharks will look to reverse their free fall against the Pacific-leading Stars in a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions. San Jose has won five consecutive meetings with the Stars, including all three matchups this season.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, CSCA, FSSW+
ABOUT THE SHARKS (33-24-8): A shootout loss to Edmonton on Tuesday capped a winless homestand (0-2-1) for San Jose, which managed only three goals in the three games. It marked the ninth loss in 11 games (2-7-2) for the Sharks and left them in a three-way tie for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. The offense has produced only 18 goals in the last 10 games. Still, the Sharks trail Dallas by only three points in the division and have two games in hand.
ABOUT THE STARS (36-26-5): Red-hot Dallas punctuated a perfect three-game road trip through Western Canada with a 5-2 victory at Vancouver on Tuesday night. Mike Ribeiro had two goals and an assist to give the Stars points in eight straight games (7-0-1) and a two-point edge over Phoenix atop the Pacific Division. Although Dallas has allowed two goals or fewer seven times during the eight-game span, it has been outscored by San Jose 14-5 this season. The Stars are seeking their first playoff berth in fourth seasons.
OVERTIME:
1. Sharks coach Todd McLellan returned to the bench Tuesday after missing three games with a concussion, and Patrick Marleau became the youngest player to reach 1,100 games in a career.
2. Stars RW Michael Ryder has five goals in a seven-game points streak. LW Jamie Benn has three goals in five games since returning from injury and needs one more for his third straight 20-goal season.
3. San Jose set an unwanted franchise record by allowing a goal 10 seconds into Tuesday's game. It was the fastest goal ever scored against the Sharks.