OILERS vs. SHARKS
STREAM: 8:30 p.m. MT; televised on Sportsnet West
Oilers Team Scope
The Oilers began their California road trip with a successful 6-1 romp over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. The high-scoring affair was capped off by Leon Draisaitl, who potted his 50th of the season to mark the second time in his career he's reached the milestone.
Recently acquired defenceman Brett Kulak is coming off his best performance as a member of the Oilers. The Stony Plain, AB product scored his first goal with the club while adding a pair of assists and a plus-five rating in a pairing with Tyson Barrie.
"Sometimes you do a lot of good things in a game and the numbers aren't pumping off the sheet, but we've been solid and growing together as a partnership out there," Kulak said. "I've been getting better and better every game, but that for me was I think my first three-point night and the first time I've been plus-5 in my career, so any time you do that, it's a fun night.
Edmonton has faired well against the Californian teams this season, currently sporting a 7-1-0 record against the trio of Anaheim, San Jose, and Los Angeles. Another strong performance in San Jose can help make the post-season race even more interesting - the Oilers enter tomorrow's game winners of four in a row and are only one point back of the Los Angeles Kings with two games in hand.
Sharks Team Scope
San Jose is coming off of a 5-4 defeat last Saturday at the hands of the Dallas Stars.
It was forward Joe Pavelski, who spent 13 seasons as a member of the Sharks, that propelled the Stars to victory in the third period with his 25th of the year. The 37-year-old quickly fired a Roope Hintz dish past James Reimer at the 7:44 mark in the third period for what would become the game-winning goal.
The Sharks fell behind early, allowing four first-period goals to the Stars, including a goal by Jason Robertson (his 32nd of the season) with one second remaining in the opening frame.
The goal-scoring outburst was enough to chase starting netminder Kaapo Kahkonen, who only stopped 10 of the 14 shots directed his way. San Jose was able to battle back late with a couple of goals by John Leonard (his first of the season) and Logan Couture, but it ultimately wasn't enough.
The Sharks have struggled to keep pace in the Pacific this season, entering Tuesday's contest with a three-game losing streak and a 3-6-1 record over their last 10 games. The team's 66 points this season only sit ahead of the Seattle Kraken's 50 in the division.
By The Numbers
The Oilers are 2-0 versus the Sharks this season with a 5-2 victory on Mar. 24 and a 3-0 victory on Valentine's Day… Goaltender Stuart Skinner stopped all 20 shots he faced on Feb. 14 for his first career NHL shutout… In both games against San Jose this season, the Oilers have directed at least 40 shots towards the Sharks goal… The Oilers are 7-4-2 in their last 13 road games against the Sharks…
The Oilers currently average 3.5 goals per game this season, the sixth-most in the NHL… During their four-game win streak, the team is averaging 5.25 goals per game… Edmonton is currently tied for third in the NHL with 80 first-period goals… Swiss forward Timo Meier currently paces the Sharks with 31 goals, 36 assists, and a career-high 67 points…
Captain Connor McDavid has an NHL-high 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in his last 27 games… McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are currently tied for first in the NHL in road points this season with 51 apiece… After scoring his 50th goal of the season on Sunday against the Ducks, Draisaitl is second among all active NHL players with two 50-goal seasons (second to Alexander Ovechkin's three)…
Injury Report
OILERS - Oscar Klefbom (shoulder) is on IR; Kyle Turris (back) is on IR.
SHARKS - Jonah Gadjovich (undisclosed) is day-to-day; Adin Hill (lower body) is day-to-day; Kevin Labanc (dislocated shoulder) is on IR; Nikolai Knyzhov (torn core muscle) is on IR.
-- Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com