Jan 9, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks return home tonight to host the Detroit Red Wings as the Sharks try to return to normalcy following the conclusion of the Stadium Series festivities. The cameras are gone. The hoopla and endless questions about playing outdoors are gone. Now, it’s back to business for San Jose who needs to kick things into gear if they want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is looking to break out of their February funk that has seen the Sharks go 3-6-2 thus far. The Sharks will need to clean up their defensive game down the stretch as San Jose has allowed 3.36 goals per game during the month of February and sit 22nd in the league in goals against per game at 2.77. San Jose will face a familiar foe in Detroit who will test the Sharks’ penalty kill as the Red Wings bring the number one power play in the league to SAP Center. The Sharks have fared pretty well against the Red Wings under Todd McLellan and could sure use another victory tonight.
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Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have returned to their typical winning ways after struggling in their first season in the Eastern Conference. Detroit currently sits third in the Atlantic Division with 77 points, after squeaking into the playoffs with 93 a season ago. The Red Wings are a balanced team that ranks in the top 10 in goals (8th), goals against (7th), power play percentage (1st) and penalty kill percentage (9th). Detroit will be looking to get back on track during their current six-game road trip after dropping two games in Southern California earlier in the week.
Players to Watch
San Jose: Brent Burns. Burns has modeled the rest of the team in that he’s been up-and-down all season. On the positive side, Burns is fourth on the team with 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists), including the Sharks lone goal on Saturday night. However, he’s a minus-two overall this season and has frequently turned the puck over, including the game-winning goal against the Kings last time out. The Sharks will need more good than bad from Burns during the stretch drive.
Detroit: Pavel Datsyuk. Although they’ve switched conferences, everything still revolves around Datsyuk in Detroit. He is tied for the team lead in points with 49 (21 goals and 28 assists) despite playing in only 48 games. Datsyuk has three multi-goal games during the month of February and has seven points in his last five games (four goals and three assists). Datsyuk is a world class talent who always seems to have the puck on his stick, and will need to be a focal point of for the Sharks defense.
Prediction
A well-rested San Jose team should be chomping at the bit to get going after four days off. Detroit will be playing their third game in four nights in California and the Sharks should look to take the game to the Red Wings in the early going. San Jose matches up well with Detroit winning 11 of the last 14 meetings with the Red Wings, and I expect the Sharks to make it 12 wins in their past 15 matchups tonight. Sharks 4, Detroit 2.