Game Preview: Sharks At Coyotes

By JEFF BARTL
STATS Senior Writer

(AP) -- The San Jose Sharks realize they aren't going to keep every puck out of the net, but the fact that they've surrendered goals so easily and frequently during their latest slide is troubling.

Clinging to a guaranteed playoff spot in the Pacific Division, the Sharks look to avoid a season high-tying fourth consecutive defeat when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night.

San Jose (28-20-8) has produced at least four goals four times while totaling 19 in its last six, but it's gone 1-3-2 in that stretch, giving up five goals three times and 14 during the three-game skid.

Joe Thornton sent Wednesday's matchup with Washington into overtime with a goal late in the third, but the Capitals scored in the extra period for a 5-4 win.

Brent Burns scored twice and Logan Couture added a goal and an assist for the Sharks, whose 36 non-shootout goals allowed in 11 games since Jan. 17 are among the most in the NHL.

"Seems like every game the other team is scoring some pretty easy goals," Couture said. "We're not making it tough. It's on the defense, it's on the forward playing low to be harder around our net. (Antti Niemi is) making the first save and they're scoring on the (rebound). We've got to be getting sticks and being a lot stronger around our own net."

San Jose is in playoff position in the Pacific, but it's also played more games than any of the postseason contenders in the division.

Niemi has started both meetings with the Coyotes this season, losing 4-3 in a shootout Nov. 22 and earning a 3-2 victory Jan. 13. He's 7-0-3 with a 1.73 goals-against average in his last 10 starts against Arizona, which also is looking to end a slump.

The Coyotes (20-28-7) have dropped three of four after falling 2-1 to St. Louis on Tuesday. Mike Smith had another solid effort with 34 saves and has given up two or fewer goals in six of his past seven starts, showing signs of returning to form in a season in which his 3.22 GAA and .897 save percentage are the worst of his career.

"Physically, he's our best athlete," general manager Don Maloney said in a radio interview. "He's big. He's mobile. When Mike is on a high he's as good as anybody in the league."

Smith has gone 7-1-2 with a 1.46 GAA in the last 10 matchups with the Sharks, including both meetings this season.

The Coyotes claimed forward Marco Arcobello off waivers from Pittsburgh on Wednesday to help overcome the loss of center Martin Hanzal, who has missed the last seven and will have back surgery that likely will end his season.

Arcobello, who has eight goals and seven assists in 50 games while also playing with Edmonton and Nashville, will be the third player in history to suit up for four different teams in one season. He'll switch back to the middle after playing on the wing with the Penguins.

"I'm really comfortable playing center," Arcobello told the team's official website. "I try to be a responsible two-way player that can chip in offensively at times."

The Sharks have won three straight meetings in Arizona.

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