Game Preview: Wild At Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have finally found the offensive explosiveness they displayed throughout last season. And with the goals, the wins have followed.
The Sharks look for their sixth win in seven games Thursday night when they host the Minnesota Wild for their second of three meetings this season.
During their current hot spell, the Sharks (15-11-4) have scored 24 goals in six games, which is tied for the most in the NHL since Nov. 29.
Tommy Wingels has led the way with 10 points in that span, while Joe Pavelski has added five of his team-leading 14 goals, including two on Tuesday in San Jose's 5-2 victory over Edmonton.
"We were ready to play," Pavelski said. "We got a couple quick goals, crowd gets into it and you feed off that. Obviously you'd like to continue that."
The most dramatic shift for San Jose has been its play at home. The Sharks have won four straight at the SAP Center after dropping six of their first eight at home to open the season, with their offensive total of the last four home games (20 goals) topping the production of the first eight (18 goals).
"To start winning at home, it feels good," Pavelski said.
Alex Stalock started in net for San Jose after Antti Niemi suffered an injury during the team's morning skate. Should Niemi be sidelined again Thursday, Stalock has proved himself a more-than-capable backup, owning a 2.28 goals against average in seven starts this season.
Minnesota (15-10-1) edged the Sharks 4-3 in a shootout on Oct. 30 for just its second win in the past six meetings. The Wild have lost four straight and nine of 10 in San Jose.
They do, however, enter this matchup after scoring four third-period goals Tuesday in a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the New York Islanders. Ryan Suter had a season-high three assists, setting up Thomas Vanek's tying goal and Nino Niederreiter's winner with 4:33 remaining.
"When you mention to the group, and you use words like pride and character, we know we have too much pride and character in our locker room to let that continue," coach Mike Yeo told Minnesota's official website. "Our guys certainly acknowledged that. I thought they showed it the rest of the game."
Mikko Koivu had a goal and an assist Tuesday, giving him six points in five games. Zach Parise two goals and six assists during a five-game point streak.
After allowing 71 total shots in their previous two games, the Wild have limited opponents to an average of 19.7 in the last three.
Neither Minnesota goaltender has been very effective lately despite the team's solid defense. Niklas Backstrom allowed four or more goals for the third time in four starts Tuesday, while Darcy Kuemper has posted a 4.41 GAA in his last four starts.
The Wild will be down a pair of defensemen Thursday. Marco Scandella was suspended two games for his hit to the head of Islanders forward Brock Nelson on Tuesday, and Keith Ballard is out indefinitely with multiple face fractures and a concussion suffered in the win.
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