[7:30 PM] Sharks @ Panthers

Who will WIN this matchup?

San Jose Sharks (7-6-0)

@ Florida Panthers (6-6-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Martin Jones (SJ): Confirmed

James Reimer(FLA): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

San Jose Sharks: (-120)

Florida Panthers: (+100)

 

• The Florida Panthers have a chance to post back-to-back victories for the first time since winning their first two games of the season when they host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. Florida, which won the Atlantic Division last season, has alternated wins and losses over the last five games.

• Attempting to bolster a sagging offense that had produced four goals in its previous three games, San Jose called up high-scoring prospect Kevin Labanc, who skated on the No. 2 line with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi in his NHL debut at Washington. Brent Burns tallied his team-leading fifth goal and fellow defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic also tallied. Joe Thornton’s empty-net tally lifted him into a tie with Guy Lafleur for 26th all-time with 1,351 points

• Florida has been held to two goals or fewer in five of its last eight games, but should receive an offensive boost with the expected return of forward Jussi Jokinen to the lineup. Jokinen, who has sat out the past nine games after aggravating a knee injury on Oct. 20, had 14 goals and a career-best 42 assists last season.

• F Jonathan Marchessault netted his team-best seventh goal Monday and is the only Panther with double-digit points (13).

• The Sharks have killed off all 21 power plays over the past eight games.

• Panthers backup G James Reimer will make his fifth start of the season Thursday.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: San Jose Sharks

Confidence: 4/10

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