{coyotes} SHARKS (39-30-9) at COYOTES (23-47-8)

Friday 3 April 2015

{coyotes} SHARKS (39-30-9) at COYOTES (23-47-8)

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

9:00 PM ET

SHARKS (39-30-9) at COYOTES (23-47-8)

TV: CSN-CA+, FS-A+

Season series: The San Jose Sharks have won three in a row against the Arizona Coyotes, including a 3-1 victory Friday at SAP Center, after losing their first game this season in a shootout.

Sharks team scope: San Jose is still on the outside looking in as it tries to extend its streak of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs to 11 years. But the Sharks haven't given up: Their 3-1 victory against the Coyotes in San Jose on Friday moved them within three points of the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets in the race for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference. The Kings have a game in hand. Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski put the Sharks ahead 2-0 five minutes into the game, and a third-period insurance goal by Matt Nieto locked up their third win in a row. "We know what's ahead of us," coach Todd McLellan said. "We know what the consequences are, and they just keep playing, but tomorrow's a new day."

Coyotes team scope: Arizona survived the early two-goal hit by San Jose, made it 2-1 early in the second period on a goal by Mark Arcobello and had several chances to tie the game before Nieto's goal put it away. "They're a team with a lot to play for," coach Dave Tippett said. "We didn't handle the pressure. We executed poorly and didn't match their work ethic in the first period. In the second period, we got a little better, but we got behind and could never get back in it." Mike Smith is likely to start after rookie Louis Domingue made 34 saves Friday.

Team Stats