Canucks @ Sharks

RECENT FORM

The Canucks’ 3-2 shootout loss Thursday to the lowly Arizona Coyotes gave Vancouver consecutive losses for the first time since Jan. 27. They’ve also lost three of their last four, but remain one of the NHL’s best road teams at 19-123. The Sharks have been resting since thumping the Canucks 6-2 in Vancouver on Tuesday. The Sharks’ second win in as many nights followed a 2-7-1 slump that put them in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Tuesday’s win was the second straight lopsided victory over the Canucks by the Sharks, who won 5-1 in Vancouver on Feb. 5. San Jose scored three times in the first eight minutes on Tuesday to chase goalie Jacob Markstrom, pictured, from his first start this season. The Canucks won twice in San Jose earlier in the season. The Sharks are fifth in the Pacific Division, four points behind the Canucks and two points out of a playoff spot before Friday’s NHL schedule of games.

WHO’S HOT?

Canuck C Henrik Sedin

was pointless in Arizona, ending an eightgame scoring streak that saw him amass six goals and 13 points. RW Jannik Hansen has 3-7-10 points in 11 games. D Dan Hamhuis has four assists in four games … For the Sharks, C Joe Pavelski, pictured, and LW Patrick Marleau each have five points during a fourgame scoring streak. D Brent Burns has assists in his last three games.

WHO’S NOT?

Canucks RW Zack Kassian is pointless in his last three games on the first line. LW Chris Higgins’ goal Thursday was his first in 17 games. RW Derek Dorsett, pictured, hasn’t scored in 20 games. Rookie LW Ronalds Kenins appears to be coming out of the lineup … Sharks LW Matt Nieto’s pair of goals in Vancouver were his first in 18 games. C Tomas Hertl hasn’t scored in 11 games, and G Antti Niemi’s two goals allowed on Tuesday matched his best performance in 10 games.

INJURIES

Canucks: G Ryan Miller (knee), D Kevin Bieksa (hand), D Chris Tanev (concussion), C Brad Richardson (foot/ankle).

Sharks: RW Raffi Torres (knee), RW Mike Brown (leg) are out. LW John Scott (ill) is questionable.