Overview
The San Jose Sharks return home after closing their two-game road trip with a win against the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight, they look to secure another two points and place another W in the win column as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks are looking to build some momentum and string together some victories.
San Jose opens this pivotal four-game homestand against a struggling Blue Jackets team that opened 0-8 and fired their head coach in former Sharks assistant Todd Richards. This is a crucial four-game stretch for the Sharks as after these next four games at SAP Center, San Jose hits the East Coast for their longest road trip of the season, a six-gamer through the Eastern Conference. Banking as many points as possible against a manageable schedule is imperative before that trip begin.
Team Stats
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Players to Watch
Sharks: Joe Pavelski has a point in each of his last five games (four goals, one assist). Patrick Marleau has three points in his last two games. He is now four points away from 1,000 in his career.
Blue Jackets: Boone Jenner leads the team with six goals, tied for 11th in the National Hockey League.
Injuries/Scratches
Sharks: Ben Smith (head) and Logan Couture (fractured right fibula) are out.
Blue Jackets: None.
Keys to the Game
1) Start Strong
Since the game against the Nashville Predators last Wednesday, the Sharks have allowed the first goal in three consecutive games including on the road trip against the Avs. While it’d be nice if they could still win after allowing the first goal, they can’t continue that trend and think it’s going to get them very far especially during the playoff push later in the second half of the season. Start strong. Stay out of the penalty box. Play with good habits. Play well defensively and help out your goaltender. Sooner or later, you’re going to get rewarded. Just don’t play sloppy right off the bat and give up the first one early.
2) Outskate and Outwork.
The Blue Jackets are currently a team that’s still struggling and looking to get back into it with new head coach John Tortorella behind the bench. That means they’re going to start trying to skate hard, work hard along the boards, and block shots. Out skate and out work them. Force turnovers. Again, do the little things right and good things will happen.
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TV/Radio Broadcast
TV: CSNCA
Radio: 98.5 KFOX