Chicago @ San Jose preview
SAP Center at San Jose
Last Meeting ( Mar 3, 2019 ) Chicago 2, San Jose 5
The San Jose Sharks appeared ready to seize control of the Pacific Division after extending their winning streak to six games with a victory at Winnipeg on March 12. However, the Sharks have not won since and will be attempting to halt a six-game losing streak against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
San Jose, which has already clinched a spot in the postseason, has scored 14 goals during the team's longest slide since dropping six straight in March 2017. "I don't know if there's a complacency about where we're sitting in the standings or what, but we've got to get out of it," coach Peter DeBoer said. The Sharks have had their way with the Blackhawks over the past two seasons, winning all four meetings and outscoring them 20-10. Chicago is in a tailspin of its own, scoring only seven times during a 1-3-1 slide after dropping a 1-0 decision at Arizona on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game road trip.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, NBCS California-Plus (San Jose)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (33-33-10): Chicago has failed to score more than two goals in each of the past six games as its top three point producers -- Patrick Kane, captain Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat -- are struggling offensively. Kane, who tops the team with 41 goals and is third in the league with 102 points, has scored twice in his last 14 games while second-leading goal scorer DeBrincat has been limited to two over the past dozen contests. Toews has three goals and two assists in his last eight to move within two points of his career high of 76.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (43-29-4): Help could be on the way for San Jose with the possible return of captain Joe Pavelski, who was labeled a game-time decision by DeBoer after sitting out the past four contests with a lower-body injury. Pavelski, the team leader with 37 goals, practiced Wednesday for the first time since he was hurt on March 16 and also worked on the top power-play unit. Defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has missed the past 12 games, skated before Wednesday's practice and is "on track and progressing the right way,” according to DeBoer.
OVERTIME
1. Blackhawks G Corey Crawford, who has made 10 straight starts, missed more than two months after suffering a concussion versus San Jose on Dec. 16.
2. Sharks F Melker Karlsson has three goals and an assist in two meetings versus Chicago this season.
3. The Blackhawks signed D Carl Dahlstrom to a two-year contract extension.
PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Blackhawks 2