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Nabokov trying to keep Sharks rolling

Dec 13, 2008 - 11:47 AM St Louis (12-12-3) at San Jose (22-3-2), 10:30 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Without Evgeni Nabokov, the San Jose Sharks were good. Since the Vezina Trophy finalist returned, the Sharks have been almost unbeatable.

Nabokov will likely be back in the crease Saturday when San Jose wraps up a five-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers.

The 33-year-old Nabokov made 31 saves en route to his first shutout, helping the Sharks top the Anaheim Ducks, 2-0, on Thursday. He turned aside four shots in the first period, 13 in the second and 14 in the third to notch his 41st career blanking.

Captain Patrick Marleau recorded a goal and set up another for San Jose, which improved to 6-0-1 since Nabokov returned from an injury that kept him sidelined for seven games.

There certainly hasn't been any place like home for the Sharks, who are an incredible 15-0-2 at "The Shark Tank." San Jose's last regular-season loss in regulation was on Valentine's Day.

Over this remarkable stretch, the Sharks are 22-0-3 at the HP Pavilion.

The Blues are hoping to avoid a third straight loss after dropping a 6-2 decision to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

Rookie Cam Paddock and defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo scored for St. Louis, which has lost six of its last nine.