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Sharks try to break out of scoring slump against Blue Jackets

Jan 31, 2012 - 4:16 PM (Sports Network) - Goals have been hard to come by as of late for the San Jose Sharks. Hopefully the club found its scoring touch over the break and will look to turn up the offense tonight and record a fourth straight win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Sharks were held to two goals or fewer in six of their final eight games before the All-Star break and carried a three-game slide into last Tuesday's meeting with the Flames. San Jose avoided taking a losing streak into the week off by besting Calgary 1-0 behind a 25-save shutout from Antti Niemi.

The win was key as it gave the Sharks a two-point lead over the Kings for first place in the Pacific Division. With 60 points. San Jose is seven back of conference-leading Detroit.

Defenseman Brent Burns did not play last week versus the Flames due to a knee injury, but practiced on Monday and should play tonight. Less certain is Ryane Clowe, who has missed the past five games due to facial injuries.

Logan Couture also returns to the club after taking part in the weekend's All- Star festivities. Couture leads the Sharks with 21 goals and has three over his past three games, but was still the last player chosen in Thursday's fantasy draft to set the rosters. He did have an assist in Sunday's 12-9 loss for Team Alfredsson, who saw Sharks bench boss Todd McLellan serve as one of the coaches.

"Being the young guy and with these great players, I knew it was a possibility," said Couture of getting picked last.

While Couture certainly enjoyed himself over the weekend, it has been a season to forget already for the Blue Jackets, who are 4-13-2 in their last 19 games and sit last in the overall NHL standings with 32 points. Columbus is 2-5-1 in eight games under interim head coach Todd Richards since he took over for the fired Scott Arniel.

The Blue Jackets have lost four straight and remain without their two top offseason pickups in center Jeff Carter (separated right shoulder) and defenseman James Wisniewski (broken left ankle). Mark Letestu (right hand) and Nikita Nikitin (left knee) also come out of the break hurt for a Columbus club that has lost 205 man games due to injury this year.

One player who has been a contributor for Columbus this year is rookie Ryan Johansen. He has nine goals and 17 points on the season and has scored twice in his past four games.

Columbus plays the fourth of a six-game road trip this evening that was split by the break. The Jackets have lost five straight as the guest and are 5-17-3 on the road.

The Blue Jackets have lost a pair of 2-1 meetings with the Sharks this year as part of their three-game series losing streak. San Jose has won five of seven and seven of the last 10 encounters overall as well as 12 of 13 and 18 of the last 20 meetings at home.