Preview: Sharks at Stars

SHARKS (42-24-7) at STARS (29-33-11)
8:30 p.m. ET; CSN-CA, FS-SW, NHL.TV

Sharks team scope

The San Jose Sharks' lead in the Pacific Division has shrunk to two points ahead of the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks play the Winnipeg Jets at home Friday but the Sharks hold the regulation/overtime wins (ROW) tiebreaker 40-36. The Sharks are in the midst of a season-long four-game losing streak (0-4-0) and have struggled offensively with four goals in those four games. "I think the most important thing for us right now is to get four lines going," forward Joonas Donskoi said. "Get goals, [draw] penalties from all four lines." Right wing Jannik Hansen said he'll play Friday after missing the past two games because of an upper-body injury. Hansen has played six games with the Sharks since they acquired him in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks on March 1 and still is getting acclimated to the team. "Every day you get a little more integrated," he said. "When you're on the road you bond together a little bit more. You go have dinner and get to know guys in different ways." Coach Peter DeBoer said center Melker Karlsson will be a game-time decision, but Karlsson skated late after practice with the other expected scratches. Aaron Dell will start in goal with Martin Jones expected to play at the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Dell made 19 saves in a 1-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday.

Stars team scope

Forward Jason Spezza is doubtful after not playing in a 3-2 shootout loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday because of back spasms. Coach Lindy Ruff typically juggles his defense pairings after a loss, so defenseman Stephen Johns could return to the lineup after being scratched the past two games. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen has started the past four games, but after making 24 saves Thursday, Antti Niemi could get his first start since March 14. Forward Ales Hemsky scored two goals Thursday and has five points (three goals, two assists) in 10 games since returning from a hip injury that had kept him out since Oct. 22. "I thought he put together a nice game for us," Ruff said Thursday. "He's skating well. Every game for me he seems to be getting better. And it's a lot of time off. We've seen it with other players. It's hard to come back and get in a groove right away."

Sharks projected lineup

Jannik Hansen -- Joe Thornton -- Joe Pavelski
Patrick Marleau -- Logan Couture -- Joel Ward
Joonas Donskoi -- Tomas Hertl -- Mikkel Boedker
Micheal Haley -- Chris Tierney -- Marcus Sorensen
Paul Martin -- Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon -- David Schlemko
Aaron Dell
Martin Jones
Scratched:Timo Meier, Dylan DeMelo
Injured:Melker Karlsson (lower body)

Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn -- Cody Eakin -- Ales Hemsky
Remi Elie -- Tyler Seguin -- Brett Ritchie
Devin Shore -- Radek Faksa -- Patrick Sharp
Curtis McKenzie -- Adam Cracknell -- Jiri Hudler
Esa Lindell -- John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis -- Greg Pateryn
Patrik Nemeth -- Jamie Oleksiak
Kari Lehtonen
Antti Niemi
Scratched:Stephen Johns
Injured: Mattias Janmark (knee), Antoine Roussel (hand), Jason Spezza (back spasms)

Status report

The Sharks had an optional morning skate. Forwad Danny O'Regan was sent to San Jose of the American Hockey League. ... The Stars did not have a morning skate after playing Thursday. …

Who's hot

Pavelski has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past nine games. Thornton has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his past nine games.