Sharks Limp Into Dallas Looking for an Answer to an Old Problem

San Jose has been giving up far better chances than it creates, and that is the real reason the Sharks arrive in Dallas on a four-game losing streak.

Over their last ten games, the Sharks have allowed 4.22 expected goals a night (expected goals measure how many goals a team's chances were worth), while generating 2.94 of their own. That gap matches the standings: San Jose is 7-10-1, a minus 20 goal difference, 3-7-0 in its last ten, and still clinging to the seventh wildcard spot in the West. They have also been buried in shot attempts, averaging 66.4 against to 55.9 for.

Dallas is the steadier side at 9-5-2, fifth in the West and third in the Central, with a 7-2-1 run over its last ten. The Stars have won seven of those ten and allowed fewer quality looks than they created, averaging 3.23 expected goals for to 2.69 against. Their shot attempts are dead even at 51.6 each way, so this is a team winning on chance quality more than volume.

The Stars come in off a shootout loss to Columbus, which followed a wild 6-5 win in Washington. Mikko Rantanen carries a four-game point streak. The big question is Miro Heiskanen, listed as doubtful after a hard collision with the boards. Without him, Dallas could give a struggling Sharks attack a little more room than usual. History still leans heavily toward the home side: Dallas is 9-0-1 in the last ten meetings.