The San Jose Sharks host the Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at the Tank. It will be a good test for the streaking Sharks who have won four in a row for the first time this season.
The hallmark to San Jose's recent success has been defense and goaltending. Both will be tested against Tampa's high flying offense and super stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Stamkos leads the NHL with 25 points (7g 18a), while Kucherov boasts a league high 14 goals.
If the Sharks want to shut down the TB stars they might have to do it without their best defender in Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Vlasic remains day-to-day with a head injury, but could play tonight if he gets the all clear. Fingers crossed.
The Lightning sit atop the East with an 11-2-2 mark. Meanwhile the Sharks at 8-5-0 can continue their push up the standing following a ho-hum start. A win tonight would only further boost San Jose's growing confidence.
Three things to watch for tonight...
- Martin Jones is 2-0 in two career starts vs. Tampa, but he has never faced the Lightning in his own building. A win tonight would further solidify Jones' status among the NHL's best goalies.
- Joe Pavelski is one goal shy off 300 for his career. Chances seem good that he will become the second Shark (Marleau) to reach the milestone tonight vs. Tampa. The captain has six goals and nine points in 13 career game against the Lightning.
- Joonas Donskoi scored the game winning in the shootout the other night. The third year forward is making his presence felt early on this year. Donskoi scored just six goals in 61 games last season, but already has four through SJ's first 13 games. Just more proof that Donskoi is back to contributing at a high level. This is great news for the offensively challenged Sharks
Thanks for reading, Steve