San Jose @ Edmonton preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2018 ) Edmonton 4, San Jose 3

After receiving a brilliant performance from one offensive-minded defenseman, the San Jose Sharks will see the return of another on Saturday afternoon as Erik Karlsson will be back in the lineup for the opener of the team's three-game road trip versus the Edmonton Oilers. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has been idle while serving a two-game suspension for his illegal check to the head of Los Angeles forward Austin Wagner.

San Jose hopes Karlsson can pick up where he left off prior to his first NHL suspension, as the 28-year-old Swede collected 10 assists during an eight-game point streak. Fellow defenseman Brent Burns celebrated his 1,000th career NHL game on Thursday with the go-ahead goal midway into the third period as the Sharks snapped a three-game skid (0-1-2) with a 4-2 win against Anaheim. Edmonton has answered a 9-2-2 stretch under coach Ken Hitchcock with losses in four straight games, although Leon Draisaitl has tallied twice and added an assist in his last two outings. The 23-year-old singed San Jose in the first encounter, setting up a pair of goals before scoring 51 seconds into overtime of a 4-3 victory on Nov. 20.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (20-12-7): Tomas Hertl recorded his third goal in two contests and seventh point (four goals, three assists) in his last six on Thursday. The 25-year-old's 13 tallies are tied for third on the team behind captain Joe Pavelski (23), who has 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in his last 15 games overall and a six-game point streak in Edmonton. Barclay Goodrow posted a career-high three assists against the Ducks while defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has that same total spread over his last two outings.

ABOUT THE OILERS (18-16-3): Alex Chiasson, who has a career-best 16 goals, has been ruled out against San Jose after he was hit by a shot on the leg from the point during Thursday's 4-2 setback versus Vancouver. "Especially with Chiasser going down now, we need more guys to step up," fellow forward Drake Caggiula said. "I got to take some onus on that as well. We got to find more ways to create offense ourselves and minimize our mistakes." Jujhar Khaira, who has a career-high 11 assists, will return to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for his illegal check to St. Louis defenseman Vince Dunn.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid has 31 (nine goals, 22 assists) of his club-best 54 points in his last 19 games, with three (one goal, two assists) coming in the first meeting with San Jose.

2. The Sharks are 3-0-1 in their last four road contests versus the Oilers.

3. Edmonton D Kris Russell (undisclosed) skated during Friday's practice and could end a seven-game absence should he draw into the lineup against San Jose.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Sharks 3