About the Sharks - 11-03-11
A preview of the Sharks.
When and where: 10:30 p.m.; HP Pavilion.
TV: Root Sports; CSN California.
Record: 6-4-0, 12 points. The Sharks are in eighth place in the Western Conference and third place in the Pacific Division.
Leading Scorer: Joe Pavelski (right), 13 points (eight goals, five assists).
Last Game: 5-2 road loss to the Rangers, Monday. Pavelski had a goal and an assist for the Sharks.
Last Game against the Penguins: 3-2 overtime road win, Feb. 23. Tyler Kennedy scored two goals for the Penguins.
Sharks Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Pavelski. He has a six-game scoring streak.
Ex-Penguins on the Sharks: None.
Ex-Sharks on the Penguins: Tony Granato, assistant coach; Bill Guerin, player development coach.
Useless Sharks Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: The only player in Sharks franchise histor to win the Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication, is current Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato (1997).
Best Sharks Video We Could Find: The biggest goal in Sharks' history. Jamie Baker's game-winning score against the Red Wings in Game 7 of a 1994 Western Conference quarterfinal:
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Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (7-2-0, 1.86 GAA, .934 SV%) for the Penguins and Antti Niemi (4-2-0, 2.65 GAA, .902 SV%) for the Sharks.
Injuries: For the Penguins, defenseman Kris Letang (undisclosed) and center Jordan Staal ("lower-body") are game-time decisions. Goaltender Brent Johnson (illness) is questionable. Defenseman Zbynek Michalek (finger) is out. Centers Sidney Crosby (concussion), Tyler Kennedy (concussion) and defensemen Brian Strait (elbow) are on injured reserve. For the Sharks, defenseman Dan Boyle (illness) is probable. Goaltender Antero Nittymaki (groin) is on injured reserve.
Potential lines and defensive pairings: With the recent run of injuries, the Penguins lines and defensive pairing are never a sure thing. Here's an educated guess:
Steve Sullivan - Evgeni Malkin - James Neal
Chris Kunitz - Jordan Staal - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Richard Park - Arron Asham
Dustin Jeffrey - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams
Paul Martin - Kris Letang
Brooks Orpik - Deryk Engelland
Matt Niskanen - Ben Lovejoy
The Sharks did not practice with a full crew yesterday. Their primary lines and defensive pairings against the Rangers Monday were
Patrick Marleau - Joe Thornton - Joe Pavelski
Ryane Clowe - Logan Couture - Martin Havlat
Andrew Murray - Michal Handzus - Torrey Mitchell
Brad Winchester - Andrew Desjardins - Jamie McGinn
Douglas Murray - Dan Boyle
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Brent Burns
Colin White - Jason Demers
Notes:
-Matt Cooke has pledged change and has delivered.
-What is "stick on puck" and why do the Penguins value it a bunch? (PG+)
-Welcome back Tyler Kennedy... to practice.-The Penguins have not won in San Jose since a 5-2 victory, Oct. 22, 1997. Penguins forward Jaromir Jagr had a They have a record of 0-8-1 in San Jose since that time.
-Cooke has 99 career points with the Penguins.
-Neal has 148 career points.
-Kunitz has 297 career points.
-Park has 97 career goals.
-"I just play." - Pavelski explaining his success.
-"Every couple of years you have to say some sort of bone-headed thing."- Thornton apologizing for suggesting the Rangers were soft following Monday's game.
-Our live blog begins today at approximately 10:30 p.m. Please drink some coffee and tune in.
(Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images)