Sharks at Oilers
The San Jose Sharks conclude their season-opening run through Alberta on Tuesday, when they take on the Oilers in Edmonton. San Jose kicked off its lockout-shortened campaign Sunday with a 4-1 road triumph over the Calgary Flames. After falling behind in the first period, the Sharks scored three goals in a 4:18 span in the second to gain control - with Patrick Marleau beginning and ending the outburst.
Edmonton also was victorious in its first game of 2012-13 as it rallied from a two-goal deficit to post a 3-2 shootout victory over the Canucks in Vancouver on Sunday. Sam Gagner set up Ales Hemsky for the game-tying goal with 5:55 remaining in the third period, then netted the decisive tally in the bonus format. The Oilers have won three straight season openers, with the last two triumphs coming in shootouts.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CSN California (San Jose), TSN (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (1-0-0): Marleau was one of four San Jose players to record two points Sunday. Defenseman Dan Boyle collected a goal and an assist while captain Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski each set up a pair of tallies. Pavelski has notched two points in four consecutive season openers. The Sharks have yet to sign free agent Scott Gomez, but the veteran center continued to audition for a contract as he participated in the team's optional pregame skate on Sunday. Gomez was bought out of his contract by the Montreal Canadiens last week.
ABOUT THE OILERS (1-0-0): Captain Shawn Horcoff was kept off the scoresheet Sunday. Horcoff needs three goals to pass Doug Weight (157) for ninth place on the franchise list and two points to move ahead of Esa Tikkanen (436) for the club's eighth spot. Defenseman Justin Schultz and right wing Nail Yakupov played in their first NHL games while Ralph Krueger made his coaching debut in the league. Schultz played nearly 21 minutes and Yakupov saw 16:20 of ice time while each registered one shot on goal. The 19-year-old Yakupov was the first overall pick in last year's draft.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose RW Martin Havlat scored in his first game of the season after netting only seven goals in 39 contests during an injury-shortened 2011-12 campaign.
2. Hemsky is three assists away from tying Kevin Lowe for eighth place on Edmonton's all-time list.
3. The Sharks were without D Brent Burns on Sunday due to a lower-body injury.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Oilers 2