Sharks 5 - 3 Stars
Final
  for this game

Stars hope to snap 6-game skid in clash with Sharks

Nov 8, 2014 - 4:03 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Stars will try to avoid their longest losing streak since 2009 on Saturday night as they take on a San Jose Sharks club that is kicking off an 11-day road trip.

The Stars are coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Nashville Predators, getting goals from Trevor Daley and Patrick Eaves as well as 30 saves by Kari Lehtonen.

Dallas had some chances at the end of the game, with Jamie Benn missing a wide-open net wide before Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne came up with several big saves. That included one on a bouncing puck as the final horn sounded as the Stars fell to 0-4-2 in their last six games.

"I think (Rinne) was the difference maker at the end," said Dallas head coach Lindy Ruff.

The Stars will now try to avoid going without a point in seven straight for the first time since an 0-5-2 rut from March 17-30, 2009. They may attempt to do so without forward Cody Eakin, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury that held him out of Thursday's loss.

Lehtonen is 5-7-3 with a 3.30 goals against average and .908 save percentage in 15 career meetings with the Sharks.

San Jose is set to play seven times over its road trip, but head to Dallas on a sour note following Thursday's 3-2 loss to the visiting Vancouver Canucks. The Sharks had won three of four, but couldn't top the Canucks despite a 36-19 shot advantage.

James Sheppard and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks and Joe Thornton nearly forced overtime on a a shot that banked off of Vancouver goaltender Ryan Miller. However, time had just expired before the puck went into the net.

"I think we played hard," said Sheppard. "I'm sure we will bounce back and take what we can from this game."

Antti Niemi made 16 saves in his fifth straight start and figures to get a rest either tonight or on Sunday in Chicago. He is 9-4-5 with a 2.28 GAA and .920 save percentage in his career versus the Stars, while backup Alex Stalock has won both of his previous meetings with the club, stopping 63-of-66 shots faced.

The Sharks are 3-0-1 in their past four versus the Stars, but 1-2-2 in their last five trips to Dallas.






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