Sharks at Oilers
THE STORY: A five-game losing streak has thrown a wrench in the Sharks’ playoff plans, dropping San Jose to ninth and out of the postseason picture in the Western Conference. San Jose has a tough back-to-back set in Western Canada beginning Monday against a young Oilers team that would love to play spoiler. Edmonton has won the last two meetings with the Sharks - both in a shootout, most recently 3-2 in San Jose on March 6.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CS California (Sharks), TSN (Oilers)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (33-25-9): San Jose’s losing streak has fingers pointing all over the place, most notably at goaltender Antti Niemi. However, as porous as his efforts have been, the Sharks’ offense is just as ineffective. San Jose has totaled only six goals in the last five games, including two shutouts. The Sharks were blanked by Phoenix on Saturday despite outshooting the Coyotes 42-29. The power play could have something to do with that. San Jose has gone six games without a goal on the man advantage (0 for 13).
ABOUT THE OILERS (26-35-7): Edmonton isn’t battling for a postseason spot, sitting second to last in the Western Conference with 59 points. But that hasn’t dampened the Oilers’ spirits heading into the home stretch of the schedule. Edmonton is showing some fight in recent outings - especially on the road, going 3-2 in its last five away from home. Monday’s game is in Rexall Place, though, where Edmonton is 1-6-1 in its last eight contests.
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose has won six of its last eight games at Rexall Place and is 10-4 in its last 14 versus the Oilers overall.
2. Oilers winger Ben Eager is suffering from a virus and has been quarantined from the rest of the team. He is questionable for Monday.
3. The Sharks have lost four of their last five shootouts.