San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning preview

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After a seventh week that saw them play four contests in seven nights, the San Jose Sharks get their eighth week officially underway this evening as they take on the Tampa Bay Lighting at the Shark Tank. The Sharks have won three of their last four, but have had several days to contemplate what exactly went wrong on Sunday, when the Chicago Blackhawks put a 5-1 beat down on them.

That contest against the ‘Hawks was a chance for the Sharks to make a statement.  Instead, they wilted under the heat of the defending Stanley Cup champions. Chicago was too fast, too talented and clearly wanted it more than the Sharks did most of the time.

Tonight they’ll have the chance to turn things around against a very good Lightning squad that has gone 2-2 since losing Steven Stamkos to injury on November 11. Tampa has struggled to put together a full effort during their western road trip to this point.

So far they’ve dropped a 6-3 decision to the Phoenix Coyotes and a 5-2 contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

Tampa Bay Players to Watch

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Usually it would be a photo of Steven Stamkos here and we’d get to mention how deadly of a shot he has, but he’s rehabbing his broken tibia at the moment and obviously won’t be available this evening. The Lighting are a more dangerous team with Stamkos out on the ice, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a few other players that know how to get the job done offensively.

Martin St. Louis is an ageless phenom and has five points in his last four games since the injury to Stamkos. He’s the kind of player that can beat a guy one-on-one if he’s given even just a little bit of space, and the Sharks need to keep tabs on where he’s at on the ice at all times.

Among the players that the Lightning needed to step up following Stamkos’ injury is Valtteri Filppula, and so far he’s elevated his game. He has four points in four games, and Tampa will continue to  lean on him in this time of need. Alex Killorn is also a youngster worth keeping an eye on tonight and in general.

Goaltending Matchup (probable starters)

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Tonight’s goaltending matchup could turn out to be a treat. It’s assumed that Antti Niemi will face off against Ben Bishop. If that comes to fruition, then it could be an Olympic preview of sorts. Both netminders are hopefuls to start for their respective countries.

Bishop wasn’t on the radar for the United States when the season started, but he’s been superb in his first full campaign as a member of the Lightning. He’s been very shaky during his last two starts, which means he’s due back for a bounce back game here soon. If he’s on tonight then the Sharks could end up mildly frustrated.

No netminder in the NHL has won more games than Bishop to this point, while his save percentage and GAA are both among the top-15. The ingredients are in place for this contest to turn into a bit of a goaltending duel, and a 2-1 final might provide a more exciting game than a 6-2 score would.