Programming note
Sharks-Predators coverage starts tonight at 4:30 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live on CSN California
Where they stand
Sharks: 27-19-4, 58 points, 2nd Pacific Division
Predators: 24-20-8, 56 points, 5th Central Division
The latest
Sharks: The Sharks evened their record on a four-game road trip by beating the Blues in St. Louis on Thursday, 3-1. Joonas Donskoi, Joe Thornton and Matt Nieto were the goal scorers, while Martin Jones was outstanding in making 26 saves. The Sharks close out the trip on which they are 1-1 so far in Chicago on Tuesday.
Predators: Nashville dropped a 6-3 decision at home to the Flyers on Tuesday, falling to 0-2 on a four-game homestand coming out of the All-Star break. The Predators had won their previous four games, all on the road, just before the break.
Keep an eye on…
Sharks: Joonas Donskoi. The 23-year-old Finn has been one of the Sharks’ most consistent scorers lately, with at least one point in seven of his last eight games, and 10 points (4g, 6a) in his last 12. The former fourth round pick of the Panthers in 2010 continues to provide important depth up front.
Predators: Ryan Johansen. Since joining the Predators from Columbus in early January, Johansen has contributed four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 12 games. The 23-year-old center has at least one point in seven of his last eight games against San Jose (7g, 3a).
Probable lines
Sharks
Tomas Hertl – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Matt Nieto – Patrick Marleau – Joel Ward
Joonas Donskoi – Logan Couture – Tommy Wingels
Melker Karlsson – Chris Tierney – Dainius Zubrus
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon – Dylan DeMelo
Martin Jones (confirmed starter)
Alex Stalock
Predators
Mike Fisher – Ryan Johansen – James Neal
Filip Forsberg – Mike Ribeiro – Craig Smith
Viktor Arvidsson – Calle Jarnkrok – Austin Watson
Miikka Salomaki – Paul Gaustad – Cody Bass
Roman Josi – Shea Weber
Barret Jackman – Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm – Anthony Bitetto
Pekka Rinne (confirmed starter)
Carter Hutton
Vitals
Sharks
Goals per game: 2.90 (4th)
Goals-against per game: 2.64 (18th)
Power play: 21.6 percent (5th)
Penalty kill: 80.1 percent (18th)
Predators
Goals per game: 2.50 (18th)
Goals-against per game: 2.36 (8th)
Power play: 19.8 percent (9th)
Penalty kill: 79.2 percent (24th)
Injuries/Scratches
Sharks: None.
Predators: Gabriel Bourque (undisclosed), Colin Wilson (lower body) and Eric Nystrom (broken foot) are out.
Season series
The Predators beat the Sharks at SAP Center on Oct. 28, 2-1, behind 20 saves by Pekka Rinne. San Jose returns to the Music City on April 2 to close out the season series.
Odds and ends
*Since Dec. 1, the Sharks have the NHL’s best power play at 25.5 percent. Nashville is fifth (21.5 percent).
*The Sharks are 22-2-1 when scoring first, and 17-1-0 when leading after the first period. Both records are second in the NHL.
*Nashville’s Mike Ribeiro will be playing in his 1000th career NHL game.
