SAN JOSE, Calif. – After sweeping a home-and-home series with the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks, the San Jose Sharks finally may be turning the corner.
San Jose faces another stiff test Thursday as it continues its seven-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings. The Sharks have struggled to string wins together since beginning the season with seven in a row, capturing consecutive games just once before outscoring the Ducks 9-3 in the home-and-home series.
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San Jose vies for a third straight win when it faces Detroit, which is looking to complete its four-game road trip with a perfect record. The Red Wings, who have won five straight away from home, began their trek with a pair of triumphs at Anaheim before eking out a 3-2 win in Phoenix on Monday. Detroit has scored a power-play goal in each of its last six road games after going 0-for-37 over its first 10 away from home.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN (Detroit), CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (17-11-5): Detroit received some good news regarding Kyle Quincey as it learned the defenseman would not require surgery for the multiple facial fractures he sustained when hit with a puck in an overtime victory in Edmonton on March 15. Quincey, who suffered cheekbone and orbital bone fractures, could return to action in two to three weeks.
"With surgery, I would have missed significantly more time," he said. "It was pretty devastating, so to get the news was great. In my mind, there is no timeframe. Just taking it day by day right now."
Center Pavel Datsyuk has scored three goals in his last six contests following an 11-game drought.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (15-11-6): Brent Burns continues to prove his switch from defense to forward was ingenious. In eight games since making the change, Burns has recorded four goals and five assists. Ryane Clowe returned to the lineup Wednesday and registered an assist. The left wing had missed four contests with a shoulder injury.
"It feels fine," Clowe said of the shoulder. "I don't like to tippy-toe my way back and waste a lot of time, so let's get into it right away."
Teetering around the final playoff position in the Western Conference, San Jose can make a move if it continues its strong play at home. The Sharks, who began the season with a 5-0-1 mark at HP Pavilion and have lost in regulation only once (9-1-4) in their own building.
OVERTIME
1. Detroit has won only three of its last nine visits to San Jose, including the playoffs.
2. Sharks C Joe Pavelski has tallied in two straight contests following a 10-game drought.
3. The Red Wings have won 20 of their last 28 meetings with Pacific Division teams.