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Streaking Sharks shoot for ninth straight win

Mar 9, 2008 - 1:00 PM San Jose (39-21-8) at Minnesota (37-26-6) 4:00 pm EDT

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - The surging San Jose Sharks look to continue their winning ways when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

The Sharks are on an eight-game winning streak and have climbed within one point of Dallas (41-25-5) for first place in the Pacific Division standings.

Six of the victories during the current run have come on the road for San Jose, which owns the league's best road record at 23-8-3. The Sharks defeated Chicago, 3-2, on Friday.

Joe Thornton leads the league in assists with 62 and has two goals and six assists in his last four contests. Jonathan Cheechoo has tallied in three straight contests for the Sharks as well.

Minnesota also is in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference, currently lodged in a three-way tie for the Northwest Division lead with Colorado (37-26-6) and Calgary (35-23-10).

However, the Wild have lost three straight games, including a 3-2 shootout defeat to Atlanta on Friday. Brian Rolston had a goal and an assist in the loss, while leading scorer Marian Gaborik extended his point streak to five games with an assist as well.

The Sharks have won the first two games between the teams this season, and have won five straight over the Wild overall.