The Sharks trail the first-place Calgary Flames by five points and lead the third place Vegas Golden Knights by nine. San Jose has alternated wins and losses for its past eight games (4-3-1) after a six-game winning streak. Sharks defenseman Brent Burns missed practice Saturday and didn't skate Sunday because of the flu, but he's expected to play his 455th consecutive NHL game, a streak that began on Nov. 12, 2013. The Blackhawks trail the Minnesota Wild by seven points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Chicago, which is coming off a 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Saturday, has gone 4-5-0 in its past nine games after a seven-game winning streak. Goalie Cam Ward will start for the Blackhawks after backing up Corey Crawford the past two games.
Players to watch
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane has 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in his past 23 games. Sharks forward Joe Pavelski has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in his past seven games.
They said it
"It's an opportunity to respond, and we need to find that professional game, that playoff style effort. If we do that, we have a chance to win."-- Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton "He's been exceptional. Every time he's on the ice he's a threat. He's always been a great player, but he's playing at as high a level as I've ever seen."-- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer on Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane
The Blackhawks did not have a morning skate. … Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane will each be out for a second straight game.
Stat pack
Toews has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his past eight games. … DeBrincat has 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in his past seven games. … Thornton is expected to play his 1,550th game and tie Alex Delvecchio for 14th place on the NHL's all-time list. He is three points from tying Stan Mikita (1,467) for 14th place on the NHL's all-time list.
