Game Preview: Sharks At Jets

(AP) -- The San Jose Sharks have been one of the NHL's model franchises for more than a decade, but their run of consecutive postseason appearances is in jeopardy.

San Jose begins what could be a season-defining road trip Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sharks (34-27-8) have reached the playoffs in 15 of the last 16 seasons, not missing out since 2002-03 - the NHL's second-longest active streak behind Detroit's 23 consecutive appearances. Their .622 regular-season winning percentage since 2002-03 also ranks second behind the Red Wings (.655).

They're currently on the outside of the playoff picture, however, sitting fourth in the Western Conference wild-card chase and five points out of the Pacific Division's final spot.

This is the first of four stops in Canada to begin a seven-game trip. San Jose has played a home-heavy schedule lately with 19 of its last 25 coming at the SAP Center, including eight of nine.

"We've put ourselves in this position," center Logan Couture told the team's official website. "We have to win the majority of our games, and we've got a nice long road trip through Canada, so we're looking forward to that."

With Couture and Joe Pavelski struggling, the Sharks have been limited to two goals or fewer in nine of 12. Pavelski has one goal in that span and Couture has one in his last 11 even though they lead San Jose with 32 and 22 goals, respectively.

Still, the Sharks had won four of five prior to losing 6-2 to Chicago on Saturday. They allowed two power-play goals on the Blackhawks' four chances and have given up goals on 28.3 percent of opponents' opportunities over the last 16 games, compared to 18.1 percent previously.

San Jose is also trying to avoid being distracted by the controversy stemming from words between Joe Thornton and general manager Doug Wilson. Thornton said Wilson needs to "shut his mouth" after Wilson said Thornton was stripped of team captaincy last summer because he "lashes out" at teammates.

Coach Todd McLellan downplayed the situation.

"It's business as usual," McLellan said. "You guys know where we are in the standings, we know where we are in standings. It's about playing hockey and winning. That stuff doesn't matter, we got to focus."

The Jets (34-23-12) return home for three games following a 2-2-0 trip and are three points behind Minnesota for the West's top wild-card spot. They scored twice over the final 10 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 win at Tampa Bay after giving up go-ahead goals in the final four minutes of the third period in back-to-back losses.

Winnipeg allowed a season-low 16 shots and has held five of its last six opponents to 21 or fewer. The Jets are 15-2-3 when surrendering 25 or fewer.

"That's a pretty good night, especially on the road," said Blake Wheeler, who has eight points over his last six games. "We're capable of playing that game. When we play it, we can play it as well as anyone in the league."

Winnipeg was without leading goal scorer Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien for the fourth straight contest due to upper-body injuries. Byfuglien is likely to miss at least another week while Little could return during this homestand.

The Sharks beat the Jets 3-0 at home Oct. 11 and 3-2 at Winnipeg on Jan. 5 with Marc-Edouard Vlasic scoring in both. They drew 15 power plays but only scored once.

Brent Burns has three goals and eight assists in 10 career meetings. Couture has two goals and four assists in his last five games against Winnipeg.

San Jose is 6-0-2 with one tie all-time on the road against the Jets franchise.

---