Here's my NHL.com morning skate story on the McGinn brothers, who will play against each other for the first time at any level (other than in the backyard as kids) tonight at the Pepsi Center, Jamie for the Avalanche and Tye for San Jose. Lineups for both teams are included.
Anybody have any idea what to expect from either of these teams?
The Avalanche (2-4-3) scored one goal Sunday in Winnipeg after getting seven Friday against Vancouver, and the Sharks (5-4-2) knocked off Anaheim on the road Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak that included losing to Buffalo at home.
The Avalanche are in a stretch where they are playing five of six games at home, meeting the New York Islanders on Thursday before a Saturday game in St. Louis. That will be followed with a three-game homestand against Anaheim, Vancouver and Toronto.
"It's a good opportunity for us to play some good hockey," coach Patrick Roy said. "I'm very encouraged by the way we've been playing in our last three games, especially the last two, scoring seven goals against Vancouver. I thought we were moving well out there. I thought we played really well defensively against Winnipeg. I thought our guys did a great job. Now we want to see a good mix offensively and defensively."
The Avalanche have gone 4-for-13 on power plays in the past three games after going 1-for-22 in the first six. Two of the goals came on two-man advantages.
"We've simplified things," Roy said. "We put more pucks on net. The way teams score goals, it's not as much tic-tac-toe plays, it's more like shots and rebounds and screening in front. That's why we are getting some success right now."
Asked about the inconsistent Sharks, Roy said: "We have enough to follow ourselves. I haven't checked them that much. It's a tough conference. It's easy to be up and down. Every game is tight, hard fought. If you're losing your focus or you're not as sharp at some part of the game, you could give up a few goals and you're playing catch-up hockey. That's the beauty of our game right now, it's pretty close."
Semyon Varlamov will make his third consecutive start in goal for the Avalanche. He has a 5-3-2 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 10 games against the Sharks.
Antti Niemi will start for the Sharks. He's gone 7-1-3 in 12 games against the Avalanche with one shutout, a 2.61 average and .907 save percentage.
Avalanche center Jesse Winchester (concussion) took part in the morning skate without a non-contact jersey for the second day in a row and might play Thursday against the Islanders.