Sharks at Kings
Two division rivals streaking in opposite directions face off Saturday when the Pacific-leading San Jose Sharks visit the Los Angeles Kings for the opener of a home-and-home series. San Jose will hate to see December come to a close, as it enters its final contest of the month with a four-game winning streak and eight victories in its last nine contests.
Backup goaltender Aaron Dell led the Sharks to a 2-0 home triumph over Philadelphia on Friday, turning aside 21 shots en route to his first career shutout. Los Angeles is in the midst of a three-game losing streak during which it has scored a total of four goals. The Kings return home from a grueling 3-4-2 road trip that saw them lose five of the final six contests (1-3-2) and record more than two tallies only three times. Jeff Carter leads Los Angeles with 19 goals and 30 points but was kept off the scoresheet Thursday in a 3-1 loss at Edmonton.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, CSN California (San Jose), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (23-12-1): San Jose could be without Marc-Edouard Vlasic as the defenseman was helped off the ice by trainers in the final minute of the third period Friday after being hit in the face with a shot by Philadelphia's Shayne Gostisbehere. Captain Joe Pavelski is riding a five-game point streak after recording an assist against the Flyers. The 32-year-old center, who has collected two goals and five assists during the run, is tied with defenseman Brent Burns for the team scoring lead with 34 points.
ABOUT THE KINGS (17-15-4): Carter has been Los Angeles' primary scoring source, as he has recorded 11 more goals than both Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, who are tied for second on the team. The 31-year-old Carter, who tops the Kings with six power-play tallies and is tied for the NHL lead with six game-winners, is one away from reaching the 20-goal plateau for the 11th straight season and 12th time in his 13 campaigns in the league. Former captain Dustin Brown has gone 11 games without a goal and owns a team-worst minus-10 rating on the season.
OVERTIME
1. Kings C Anze Kopitar has been kept off the scoresheet in three straight games since registering his 700th career point Dec. 22 against Nashville.
2. San Jose C Joe Thornton needs five points to pass Johnny Bucyk (1,369) for 24th place on the all-time list.
3. Los Angeles RW Marian Gaborik is mired in an eight-game point drought after recording four in his first six contests this season.