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Sharks look to continue winning ways against Maple Leafs

Jan 12, 2008 - 3:49 PM Toronto (16-20-8) at San Jose (24-12-6) 10:00 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- The San Jose Sharks shoot for their seventh win in their last eight games when they host the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

The Sharks have gained a point in each of their last seven games, losing in overtime to Calgary on January 3 for their only setback during the stretch.

San Jose is coming off a 3-1 victory over Vancouver on Thursday, giving goaltender Evgeni Nabokov his league-leading 24th win of the season.

Center Joe Thornton leads the team with 36 assists and 49 points, but the 2005-06 Hart and Ross Trophy winner has not scored a goal since December 13 - a span of 12 games.

However, Thornton and the Sharks may have a good chance to score goals against the Maple Leafs, who rank 27th in the league in goals allowed and have given up five in each of their last two games.

Toronto has lost four straight games and 10 of its last 12 overall after a 5-2 setback against Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Maple Leafs' struggles have dropped them to last place in the Northeast Division, and Toronto has the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The Maple Leafs also have not finished a season below .500 since the 1997-98 campaign - which is the last time they missed the playoffs.

It will be the first visit to San Jose for Toronto since the teams played to a 2-2 tie on November 15, 2003.