DALLAS \u2014 The San Jose Sharks, first and foremost, are just trying to win a game. They\u2019ve lost six of their last seven.<\/p>\n
But they\u2019re also trying to avoid their recent one step forward, one step back pattern, of good game followed by bad game.<\/p>\n
In their last six, they were stampeded by the Buffalo Sabres 2-0, played one good period of hockey in a 3-2 win over the lowly Vancouver Canucks, were steamrolled by the Ottawa Senators 5-1, played well enough to win in a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, were embarrassed by the Los Angeles Kings 7-2, and hung tough last night with the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild.<\/p>\n
Sharks tools<\/p>\n
Clearly, the bar isn\u2019t high for the San Jose Sharks, at the moment: They\u2019re just trying to play the right way on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n
But you can\u2019t be going in the \u201cright direction\u201d, as head coach Ryan Warsofsky likes to say, if you\u2019re moving one step forward, one step back.<\/p>\n
San Jose Sharks (7-10-1)<\/p>\n
To that end, Alex Nedeljkovic<\/a> starts.<\/p>\n Filip Bystedt<\/a> will come in for Zack Ostapchuk<\/a>, it sounds like at fourth-line center.<\/p>\n The fourth line has struggled to make an impact recently.<\/p>\n \u201c[Bystedt] can make plays. We\u2019re looking for some puck play,\u201d Warosfsky said. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for them to play in the offensive zone, to be honest with you, and be able to trust them in all situations.\u201d<\/p>\n Warsofsky said lines<\/a> should be similar to last game, so here\u2019s my projection.<\/p>\n Misa-Celebrini-Smith Nurse-Kesselring Nedeljkovic<\/p>\n Warsofsky had lots of praise for defenseman Eric Pohlkamp<\/a>, just two games into his NHL career: \u201cDoesn\u2019t look over-matched, overwhelmed by the speed and the pace. He\u2019s making hard plays. He\u2019s looking good.\u201d<\/p>\n Warsofsky also said that they\u2019ll have a further update on Alex Wennberg<\/a> on Monday. It sounds like the center, who\u2019s been out with an upper-body injury, is close.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Dallas Stars (9-5-2)<\/p>\n Oettinger in goal<\/p>\n Steel back in<\/p>\n Blackwell out<\/p>\n Heiskanen not ready yet.<\/p>\n
Marchment-Graf-Sherwood
Stenberg-Dellandrea-Toffoli
Goodrow-Bystedt-Gaudette<\/p>\n
Dickinson-Trouba
Orlov-Pohlkamp<\/p>\n