Ducks at Sharks
THE STORY: With their playoff hopes all but over, the Anaheim Ducks
will try to put a damper on the San Jose Sharks' postseason chances when
the Pacific Division rivals face off in San Jose on Monday. Anaheim is
12 points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with
nine games remaining. The Sharks also are on the outside looking in but
are in a much better position as they trail eighth-place Colorado by one
point with three games in hand.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS, FS Prime Ticket (Ducks), CS California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (30-32-11):
Jonas Hiller finally may get the rest he richly deserves now that
Anaheim is basically out of playoff contention. The Swiss netminder made
his 32nd consecutive start Sunday in a 3-1 loss to Nashville. Hiller,
who last served as the backup on Jan. 10 against Dallas, owns the
longest streak since San Jose's Antti Niemi started 34 straight games
last season. The Ducks have lost five of their last six games overall
and five straight on the road.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (36-25-10):
San Jose acquired Dominic Moore, Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi prior
to the trade deadline, but the team's most important addition could
prove to be Martin Havlat. The 30-year-old played a huge role in
Saturday's overtime win over Detroit, scoring a pair of goals -
including the winner 3:23 into the extra session. Playing in only his
second game after missing 39 with a torn hamstring, Havlat doubled his
goal total for the season. "He's a real important part of our hockey
club, and I don't think we even know how much of an impact he can have,"
coach Todd McLellan said. "He worked very hard when he was hurt. I
think we were all anxious to get him back."
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose, which has scored three goals or less
in each of its last 16 games, is also one point out of first place in
the Pacific.
2. Three of the first four meetings were decided by one goal and the other by two.