Forward Joel Ward, a healthy scratch in two of the past three games, will return to the lineup and replace Tommy Wingels on the fourth line. "You obviously just try to keep working, be a good teammate," Ward said. "Just try to find ways to be better and when you get in make the most of your opportunity." Wingels, who has been at center on the fourth line, will be a healthy scratch for the second time this season. Micheal Haley, known largely for his toughness, will play center on the fourth line. "He's a good player," coach Peter DeBoer said. "He's a trusted player. He makes good plays, makes good plays with the puck. He's defensively aware." The Sharks are 13-7-1 with Haley in the lineup. "I don't think that's a coincidence," DeBoer said. "You can't underestimate the effect of having a guy that you know has your back in the lineup on everyone else in your lineup." The Sharks are 5-1-0 in their past six games and 8-3-0 in their past 11 entering their final game before the Christmas break. "It would be nice to get a win, it would be nice to be in first," captain Joe Pavelski said. "All those things kind of go into a good matchup tonight." Defenseman Brent Burns needs one assist to reach 300 in his NHL career.
