Arizona @ San Jose preview
SAP Center at San Jose
Last Meeting ( Jan 16, 2019 ) San Jose 3, Arizona 6
The San Jose Sharks fiercely have defended their home ice this season, boasting just eight losses (17-4-4) in 25 contests at SAP Center to share top honors in the Western Conference in that department. The Sharks look to avenge a rare home loss to the Arizona Coyotes and even the season series at two wins apiece when the Pacific Division rivals return from the All-Star break on Saturday.
San Jose saw its seven-game winning streak snapped with a 6-3 setback in Arizona on Jan. 16, and the club surrendered six goals in each contest of its four-game road trip -- although it salvaged the finale with a 7-6 overtime victory at Washington on Jan. 22. Tomas Hertl, who completed a hat trick by scoring in overtime versus the Capitals, scored and set up a goal in the Sharks' 5-3 win at Arizona on Dec. 8 before tallying twice two weeks later in a 4-3 shootout loss to the visiting Coyotes. Arizona owns a strong 14-11-1 mark away from Gila River Arena, including a 2-1-0 start to a six-game road trip that is sandwiched around the All-Star break and league-mandated bye. All-Star Clayton Keller, who leads the Coyotes in assists (24) and points (35), has set up four tallies versus the Sharks this season.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus. FS Arizona-Plus, NBCS California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (23-23-4): Well-rested Arizona finds itself residing just two points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot as it embarks on a hectic schedule this month. "We've got 14 games in 28 days," coach Rick Tocchet said. "For us, it's the elements of our identity -- the hard work and the details. To sustain where we're at, that identity has to be our focus every night because this month is really tough on us." Captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson is accompanying the team on the remainder of its road trip and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury that kept him out of the 2-1 setback against the Canadiens on Jan. 23.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (29-16-7): Erik Karlsson could be in line to miss his fourth straight game due to a lower-body injury after electing against skating during Friday's practice. The two-time Norris Trophy winner recorded a pair of assists in two encounters with Arizona while fellow defenseman Brent Burns (team-leading 46 assists, 55 points) has been held off the scoresheet in all three meetings with the Coyotes. Although not as attractive as an offensive option, fellow blue-liner Marc-Edouard Vlasic expects to be lineup against Arizona after being sidelined since Jan. 2 with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Arizona G Darcy Kuemper posted a sizzling 6-0-2 mark with one shutout during his last eight starts.
2. San Jose captain Joe Pavelski (team-best 27 goals) scored a goal and set up four others in his final two games before the All-Star break.
3. Coyotes C Alex Galchenyuk has scored three goals and set up another in three meetings this season with the Sharks.
PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Coyotes 2