Red Wings 2 - 5 Sharks
Final
  for this game

Sharks host Red Wings in Western Conference showdown

Nov 17, 2011 - 4:17 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Western Conference powers collide tonight in San Jose, where the Sharks will take on the Detroit Red Wings at HP Pavilion.

The Sharks will close out a six-game homestand and are 3-1-1 on the residency following Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss, making his fifth start of the year, gave up all three goals on 23 shots for San Jose, which had won three of four coming in and suffered its second shutout of the season.

"I thought we were lethargic between the ears," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. "When you aren't there mentally, the physical part doesn't follow."

San Jose had a 31-23 shot advantage and could have Antti Niemi back in the crease this evening. He is 2-0-1 with a 2.30 goals-against average in his last three starts.

Patrick Marleau has recorded five points in his last three games and Dan Boyle owns seven points in his previous seven.

After hosting the Red Wings, San Jose will hit the road for consecutive contests at Dallas and Colorado. The Sharks are 4-3-1 as the host.

Detroit will continue its four-game road trip Thursday and had a four-game winning streak come to an end with Tuesday's 2-1 setback at St. Louis in the opener of the swing.

Justin Abdelkader scored the lone goal for the Red Wings, who got 35 saves from goaltender Jimmy Howard. Howard allowed Alexander Steen's goal midway through the second period.

"They looked like a hungrier hockey club to me tonight than we did, and they get full-marks for their victory," Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said. "I thought they out-skated us in the second period which I hadn't seen, that hasn't happened to us a whole bunch."

Detroit was 0-for-6 on the power play and is 0-for-16 the last three games with the extra skater. The Red Wings will also visit Los Angeles and Anaheim on the trek and they are just 2-4-0 away from Joe Louis Arena this season.

San Jose defeated Detroit, 4-2, back on Oct. 28 this season in the Motor City, as Joe Thornton scored the go-ahead goal during a three-goal second period. Niemi stopped 30-of-32 shots in that one for the Sharks, who have won four in a row in this series.

These two clubs have split the past six matchups at HP Pavilion.






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