SJS DET 12.31 preview Athanasiou

SHARKS (17-20-3) at RED WINGS (9-28-3)
7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, NBCSCA, NHL.TV

The forward is expected to be out 2-3 weeks because of a lower-body injury.
The Red Wings look to avoid their seventh straight loss; they have been outscored 25-13 in six consecutive defeats and are 2-16-2 in their past 20 games.
The Sharks, 2-8-2 in their past 12 games after going 11-2-0 in their previous 13, are trying to win consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 29-30, following a 6-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Players to watch

Sharks center Joe Thornton needs one assist to pass Adam Oates (1,079) for sole possession of seventh place on the NHL all-time list.
Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, named to appear in his first NHL All-Star Game on Monday, leads Detroit with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 40 games.

They said it

"We liked a lot of things about what we did in our last game, and number one was our urgency and relentlessness. I think we need to pick that back up right off the start of this game because Detroit is a young team that plays hard regardless of their record. We certainly aren't in a position to take anyone lightly." -- Sharks coach Bob Boughner
"We've got nine wins at New Year's Eve, so we obviously have to find a way to start generating wins. That starts with our best players and our leaders, and that means me. I'm probably harder on myself than anyone, but that's OK. I know all of us are working to get better and better, and that's the only way to get out of this." -- Red Wings center Dylan Larkin

Sharks projected lineup
Red Wings projected lineup
Status report

The Sharks recalled Blichfeld, a forward, from San Jose of the American Hockey League on Monday. … The Red Wings recalled Smith from Grand Rapids of the AHL on Tuesday.

Stat pack

Erik Karlsson has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 23 games against Detroit. … San Jose will play 16 of its next 25 games on the road. … away from home. … The Red Wings have earned points in 17 of their past 20 New Year's Eve games (13-3-2-2).