J.T. Compher will center the fourth line, replacing injured Tyson Jost, and see some power-play time Thursday in his return from an upper-body injury when the Avalanche put a seven-game winning streak on the line against San Jose at the Pepsi Center.

Dominic Toninato, recalled from San Antonio of the AHL, will skate on a line with Alexander Kerfoot and Nail Yakupov.

Everything is subject to change, of course, as the game goes on.

Here are the GAME NOTES.

The Avalanche (24-16-3) are two points behind Los Angeles, which has the second wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference, but have played one fewer game. They're six points behind third-place St. Louis in the Central Division and have played four fewer games than the Blues.

"We are not in a playoff spot, that's our goal," Patrik Nemeth said. "We have reason to work even harder and stay more focused to reach the playoffs. When we are playing our conference games, you are fighting with them for the wild card, so that makes it even more important."

The Sharks (24-13-6) are second in the Pacific Division and have won three games in a row. They're 4-2-2 in their past eight games, seven of those coming on the road.

Sharks goalie Martin Jones was first off the ice at the morning skate and is expected to start. He's 6-1-1 in his career against the Avalanche with a 2.70 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.

The Avalanche's Jonathan Bernier takes a six-game winning streak into the game, which includes a 1.27 goals-against average and .962 save percentage. He's 4-4-1 in his career against San Jose with a 3.35 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.

The Avalanche lineup:

FORWARDS
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Dominic Toninato -- Alexander Kerfoot -- Nail Yakupov
Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau
Colin Wilson -- J.T. Compher -- Gabriel Bourque

DEFENSE
Nikita Zadorov -- Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth -- Mark Barberio
Samuel Girard -- Anton Lindholm

GOALIES
Jonathan Bernier
Andrew Hammond



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