San Jose Sharks look to end slump hosting Colorado Avalanche

There will be a lot of blocked shots in this game. The Colorado Avlanche average more blocks per game (18.5) than any other team, and the San Jose Sharks are in the top-10 (15.5) despite controlling the puck more—they rank fifth by winning 52.9 percent of draws, while their opponent ranks 21st with just 49.1 percent.San Jose turns the puck over more than all but three teams (162 giveaways) but Colorado also ranks in the top half despite having the puck much less. They are in the top-three in takeaways at 8.6/game, while the hosts are in the bottom half with 6.1, and they have accumulated 96 more hits thus far than the Sharks.The San Jose Sharks have been brilliant defensively, whether at full strength or down a man. They rank fifth in the NHL at both, giving up just 2.18 goals per game and killing 85.7 percent of penalties.The Colorado Avalanche have struggled in both categories, ranking in the bottom third of the league. They give up three goals per game and are better than just four teams at 76.7 percent on the penalty kill.Who plays has not mattered for the San Jose Sharks as they try to figure out a way to score more than one goal. They have fewer than two goals in a whopping seven of their last 10 games, plummeting their scoring from a peak of second in January to where it is now, with only two teams scoring fewer goals.One of the main reasons is the power play has gone ice cold, with three goals in its last 52 chances to bring it down to 17.6 percent on the season. The Colorado Avalanche have been terrible all year at 14.6 percent—better than just five teams. They also are not much better overall offensively, scoring just one more goal than San Jose.View the list »
Brad Stuart's hit on Gabriel Landeskog during the first game vs. the San Jose Sharks likely remains on the minds of the Colorado Avalanche

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In her preview of the contest between the visiting Colorado Avalanche and the host San Jose Sharks Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. PST, NHL.com staff writer Deborah Francisco's "big story" is that both teams are desperate for a win. But the reality is the home team is far more desperate.

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Colorado is 4-4-2 this month and 3-2-1 in their last six games. San Jose is 1-6-3 in February coming off a 1-4-1 road trip. Both teams have played 17 games overall in the 2013 NHL season, with the Sharks (8-6-3) having a 19-16 edge in standings points over the Avalanche (7-8-2).

Expectations are also higher for San Jose, which won 4-0 in the first meeting during their seven-game winning streak to start the season. The game featured a devastating hit by Brad Stuart on Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has now returned to the lineup.

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The Sharks will be without Ryane Clowe (suspension) and Brent Burns (now on injured reserve with what appears to be a leg problem). According to CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz via Twitter Tuesday, they have called up Matt Irwin to provide insurance on the blue line. Both Tommy Wingels and Martin Havlat also missed Monday's practice with "maintenance days."

David Pollack of the San Jose Mercury News said via Twitter that Havlat was skating with the team but Wingels was not. Judging by who skated with whom Tuesday morning, the scoring lines are intact from Saturday, Tim Kennedy will join the third line and T.J. Galiardi the fourth.

If Havlat is able to go, the Avalanche are missing more from a less-talented roster. Ryan O'Reilly is still not in camp, while Erik Johnson (head) and Ryan Wilson (leg) are still injured. The San Jose advantage is apparent in a look at the raw numbers for the entire season.

View the list
  • Who plays has not mattered for the San Jose Sharks as they try to figure out a way to score more than one goal. They have fewer than two goals in a whopping seven of their last 10 games, plummeting their scoring from a peak of second in January to where it is now, with only two teams scoring fewer goals.One of the main reasons is the power play has gone ice cold, with three goals in its last 52 chances to bring it down to 17.6 percent on the season. The Colorado Avalanche have been terrible all year at 14.6 percent—better than just five teams. They also are not much better overall offensively, scoring just one more goal than San Jose.
  • The San Jose Sharks have been brilliant defensively, whether at full strength or down a man. They rank fifth in the NHL at both, giving up just 2.18 goals per game and killing 85.7 percent of penalties.The Colorado Avalanche have struggled in both categories, ranking in the bottom third of the league. They give up three goals per game and are better than just four teams at 76.7 percent on the penalty kill.
  • There will be a lot of blocked shots in this game. The Colorado Avlanche average more blocks per game (18.5) than any other team, and the San Jose Sharks are in the top-10 (15.5) despite controlling the puck more—they rank fifth by winning 52.9 percent of draws, while their opponent ranks 21st with just 49.1 percent.San Jose turns the puck over more than all but three teams (162 giveaways) but Colorado also ranks in the top half despite having the puck much less. They are in the top-three in takeaways at 8.6/game, while the hosts are in the bottom half with 6.1, and they have accumulated 96 more hits thus far than the Sharks.
View the list

, San Jose Sharks Examiner

Former community leader and featured columnist for the San Jose Sharks on Bleacher Report, MJ has been covering the Bay Area's most successful team for over four years. You may have seen MJ's work featured on Yahoo, CBS Sports and Fox Sports websites as well as numerous other places that cover...

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