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Sharks hoping to continue dominance at home

Jan 3, 2009 - 11:19 AM NY Islanders (12-23-4) at San Jose (28-4-5), 10:30 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- For the most part, the San Jose Sharks have just refused to lose at home this season. The New York Islanders do not win much anywhere.

The Sharks hope to continue their great run at the HP Pavilion on Saturday, when they host the road-challenged Islanders.

San Jose is a remarkable 18-0-2 at the "Shark Tank" this season and has not lost a regular-season home game in regulation since February 14.

Seeking their fifth straight home win, the Sharks are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Minnesota.

Joe Thornton notched a pair of assists in that one, giving him 35 on the season to rank second in the NHL in that category. He also has nine goals.

The Islanders own the worst record in the NHL, posting a 2-11-2 mark since the end of November. New York, which is 0-10-1 in its last 11 road games, hopes goaltender Rick DiPietro can make back-to-back starts for the first time since mid-October.

DiPietro, who has missed the majority of the season with knee and groin injuries, made 28 saves in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.