Predators at Sharks
A potent power play has powered the San Jose Sharks to within one point of first place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks look to score with the man advantage for the sixth straight contest when they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Joe Pavelski netted his career-high 39th goal and team-leading 15th on the power play as San Jose snapped Los Angeles' eight-game road winning streak with a 2-1 triumph on Thursday.
The Sharks also received a favor from the Music City representatives, who scored four times in the first period and skated to a 5-2 triumph over division-leading Anaheim on Friday. The Predators improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games and reside seven points behind Phoenix for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Mike Fisher collected two goals and an assist on Friday and has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last seven games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Nashville), CSN Plus California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (34-32-11): Patric Hornqvist scored one goal and set up two others to extend his point streak to six games. Colin Wilson tallied twice and has recorded three goals in his last four games after failing to find the net in his previous 33. "We're not out of the playoffs yet," Wilson said. "We're looking forward to going into the 'Shark Tank' and it will be fun against San Jose."
ABOUT THE SHARKS (49-20-9): Joe Thornton recorded his 64th assist on Thursday to move within two of Pittsburgh phenom Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead. The captain needs two more to pull into a tie with former Philadelphia star Bobby Clarke for 24th place on the all-time list. Defenseman Dan Boyle is riding a six-game point streak, his longest since a seven-game stretch during the 2010-11 season.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose RW Brent Burns is riding a career-high five-game point streak. He has two goals and five assists in that stretch.
2. The Predators posted 3-2 victories over the Sharks on Dec. 14 and Jan. 7.
3. San Jose C Patrick Marleau scored in both contests versus Nashville and had an assist on Thursday.