Game Preview: Sharks At Canucks
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer
(AP) -- The San Jose Sharks have lost both meetings with the Vancouver Canucks this season, but a change of venue may be just what they need.
The Sharks attempt to bounce back from their latest defeat by continuing their road success against the Canucks on Thursday night.
San Jose (27-18-7) is third in the Pacific Division, two points ahead of Vancouver (28-18-3), which holds the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Despite the slight lead, the Sharks haven't fared well against the Canucks this season, falling 3-2 on Nov. 6 before losing 3-1 there again Dec. 30. Both meetings were in San Jose, and the Sharks may feel quite comfortable with a visit to Rogers Arena.
They've won five straight there - including the playoffs - winning 2-1 in overtime of the most recent one Nov. 14, 2013.
San Jose, though, is facing a three-game slide for the first time since losing to the Canucks in December.
The Sharks put themselves on the brink of matching that skid after giving up three second-period goals in their 3-1 loss at Calgary.
"We got that one early in the third," left wing John Scott told the team's official website after scoring his second goal of the season. "I thought it was going to spark some offense. We played well in the third and had some chances. It was good, we just couldn't pull it off."
Joe Pavelski is looking for a bounce-back performance
The center, among the league leaders with 27 goals, hasn't found the net in 12 straight games at Vancouver. However, he's recorded 10 assists in the past nine.
The Canucks are trying to build on the momentum from Tuesday's 3-2 come-from-behind overtime win against Winnipeg after dropping three of the previous four games. Ronalds Kenins' second goal of the season sent the game into OT before Luca Sbisa ended it 36 seconds into the extra period with his third tally.
"You have one point for sure. You don't want to leave the OT with regrets," said Sbisa, who hadn't scored in 31 games. "Just go out there and try to win, don't play scared to lose. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't, but I think you've got to try something in OT."
Radim Vrbata had an assist on Sbisa's tally against the Jets, giving him a point in three straight games after getting two over the previous eight. The All-Star right wing has fared well recently against the Sharks, totaling three goals and one assist in a four-game point streak.
Vrbata had a goal at San Jose on Dec. 30, while Ryan Miller had 31 saves.
Miller should be back in net after being rested in favor of backup Eddie Lack, who had 26 saves Tuesday. Miller has lost three of his last four starts with a 2.84 goals-against average, stopping 16 shots in a 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.
He owns a 1.55 GAA while winning seven straight games against the Sharks, but this will be his first matchup at Rogers.