Sharks at Coyotes
THE STORY: The San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes have each spent time in first place this season, but recent skids have left the Pacific Division rivals battling to hold down the final playoff spots in the tightly bunched Western Conference. Neither team has won in March but that will change Saturday night when the Coyotes host the Sharks. Phoenix suffered its fifth consecutive loss Thursday, falling to Minnesota in a five-round shootout. San Jose, which trails the Coyotes by one point, tumbled to its fourth straight loss Thursday against Dallas – also in a five-round shootout.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSCA, FSAZ+
ABOUT THE SHARKS (33-24-9): San Jose’s inability to protect a pair of one-goal leads in the third period against Dallas – including one with 75 seconds to play in regulation – doomed the Sharks to their 10th loss in 12 games (2-7-3). San Jose has failed to convert on its last 10 power-play opportunities and has scored only seven goals in its last five games. All-Star Logan Couture, who is tied with Patrick Marleau for the team lead with 27 goals, has not tallied in six games.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (33-25-10): After a near-perfect February (11-0-1), Phoenix has developed a maddening habit of putting itself in an early hole. It happened again Thursday as the Coyotes fell behind by two goals in the first period for the fifth consecutive game. Compounding the issue is the league's worst power play (12.8 percent), which has converted on only two of its last 21 chances. C Martin Hanzal left Thursday’s game in the first period with an apparent wrist injury.
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose captain Joe Thornton had three assists against Dallas, moving him past Denis Potvin and into 41st place on the career list with 743.
2. Phoenix rookie D Michael Stone had an assist Thursday for his first career point.
3. The Sharks have won 10 of the last 13 meetings, although the home team has prevailed in four of the last five matchups.