(Sports Network) - A pair of Western Conference contenders will get together tonight at Vancouver's General Motors Place, where the Canucks entertain the formidable San Jose Sharks.
San Jose comes in as one of the league's hottest clubs, having posted victories in five of its last six games and amassing an 8-2-0 mark over its last 10 contests. The surge, coupled with the recent struggles of the Anaheim Ducks, has moved the Sharks within two points of Anaheim's lead in the Pacific Division.
The Sharks showed no signs of rust in their first game back from the All-Star break, as four San Jose players scored goals in a 5-1 rout of Edmonton Friday at Rexall Place.
Patrick Marleau scored twice for the Sharks while Mike Grier and Joe Thornton each had a goal and an assist in the triumph, San Jose's fourth in a row on the road. Ryane Clowe added three assists to the winning effort and goaltender Vesa Toskala turned away 20 of the 21 shots he faced.
The Sharks have been one of the NHL's top road teams in 2006-07, bringing a 16-7-0 record as the visitor into tonight's showdown.
After putting together a hot stretch that lasted nearly a month, Vancouver has cooled off after being dealt one-goal losses in each of their last two games. The Canucks were defeated by Buffalo in a shootout in their final contest before the All-Star break, then dropped a 3-2 decision at home to the lowly Los Angeles Kings when they returned to the ice on Friday.
Alexander Frolov tallied a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Kings put an end to a seven-game losing streak.
Sami Salo and Trevor Linden had the goals for the Canucks, who received 40 saves in goal from All-Star Roberto Luongo.
FULL STORY
San Jose comes in as one of the league's hottest clubs, having posted victories in five of its last six games and amassing an 8-2-0 mark over its last 10 contests. The surge, coupled with the recent struggles of the Anaheim Ducks, has moved the Sharks within two points of Anaheim's lead in the Pacific Division.
The Sharks showed no signs of rust in their first game back from the All-Star break, as four San Jose players scored goals in a 5-1 rout of Edmonton Friday at Rexall Place.
Patrick Marleau scored twice for the Sharks while Mike Grier and Joe Thornton each had a goal and an assist in the triumph, San Jose's fourth in a row on the road. Ryane Clowe added three assists to the winning effort and goaltender Vesa Toskala turned away 20 of the 21 shots he faced.
The Sharks have been one of the NHL's top road teams in 2006-07, bringing a 16-7-0 record as the visitor into tonight's showdown.
After putting together a hot stretch that lasted nearly a month, Vancouver has cooled off after being dealt one-goal losses in each of their last two games. The Canucks were defeated by Buffalo in a shootout in their final contest before the All-Star break, then dropped a 3-2 decision at home to the lowly Los Angeles Kings when they returned to the ice on Friday.
Alexander Frolov tallied a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Kings put an end to a seven-game losing streak.
Sami Salo and Trevor Linden had the goals for the Canucks, who received 40 saves in goal from All-Star Roberto Luongo.
FULL STORY
