Sharks-Predators Preview
The San Jose Sharks continue to enjoy success on the road, although that's been elusive for them in Tennessee over the years. The Nashville Predators have captured their last five home games against the Sharks, who look poised to end that run Saturday night. San Jose (27-19-4) is tied with Washington for the league's most road wins after notching its 17th with Thursday's 3-1 victory at St. Louis. Martin Jones recorded his NHL-best 15th road victory with 26 saves, as the Sharks improved to 9-1-2 in their last 12 games. ''It's tough to win, let alone on the road, so it's a good sign,'' Jones said. ''I think the last month we've been playing very well, even at home, so it's good to see things coming together here.'' Finnish rookie Joonas Donskoi has eight points in his last eight games, scoring the game's first goal against the Blues. "He's getting better and better, he's getting more confidence, (he's) skating with the puck more," coach Peter DeBoer said. "We've added some transition where he gets a chance to get back and skate with the puck and get it with his hands, which he is probably used to more with the European hockey he has played." Joe Pavelski had two assists Thursday to give him eight points in his last six games. Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has an assist in three straight games. The Sharks are 0-4-1 in their last five visits to Nashville (24-20-8), which may not present that formidable an opponent this time. The Predators, who had the league's second-most home wins last season, have dropped a season-high three straight at home following Thursday's 6-3 result against Philadelphia at the midpoint of this four-game homestand. "Tonight obviously we're at home, there's no excuse, we've gotta win our games at home, we're always good on home ice," defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "Today we didn't have it and we're going to need it the next two before we head out again." James Neal leads the team with 18 goals although he has failed to score in his last five home games. Filip Forsberg is second on the team with 14 goals, with none in his last four. Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist Thursday to give him 12 points in 12 games since being acquired Jan. 6 from Columbus. Nashville conceded a power-play goal for the first time in eight games. The Predators face a tough assignment in solving Jones, who is 8-1-1 with a 1.97 goals-against average in his last 10 games. The goalie is 0-1-2 with a 3.13 GAA in three games - two starts - versus Nashville. "I love his game right now, I love the feeling he gives our team, the composure he's playing with is contagious to our group," DeBoer said. Jones made 22 saves in a 2-1 home defeat to Nashville on Oct. 28. Pekka Rinne stopped 20 shots for the Predators to mark the seventh time in his last eight starts versus San Jose that he has allowed one or zero goals. |