Sharks head to Dallas

The first-place Dallas Stars will try to halt a two-game losing streak tonight, as they host the San Jose Sharks at AmericanAirlines Center.
The Stars have already clinched a playoff berth and, with 102 points, hold a 12-point lead over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead. The Sharks and Los Angeles Kings are tied for third with 83 points apiece.
Dallas was in Anaheim on Friday night and dropped a 5-4 decision in a shootout. Brenden Morrow and Stephane Robidas tallied a goal and an assist apiece and Marty Turco stopped 32 shots for Dallas, which had a four-game winning streak snapped. It was also the Stars' first loss in a shootout this season in 12 tries.
The Stars suffered another close loss in LA on Saturday. Mathieu Garon stopped 27 shots for his third shutout of the season and led the Kings to the 1-0 win. Johan Hedberg made 24 saves for the Stars.
Dallas is home for just one game before beginning a three-game road trip in Anaheim on Thursday. The Stars are 26-11-1 as the host team this season.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have dropped three straight contests. San Jose is fighting to get back into the playoff seedings, but dropped a game in Columbus before losing two straight home tilts to the last-place Phoenix Coyotes.
The Sharks currently have 83 points and are tied with LA for the ninth spot in the Western Conference. Edmonton holds the eighth and final playoff spot with 86 points.
San Jose did gain a point in Saturday's loss to the Coyotes and showed some fight in the process. The Sharks trailed 3-0 heading into the third period and rallied to tie the game. However, Steven Reinprecht completed his hat trick, scoring 3:55 into overtime, to lift Phoenix to the 4-3 win.
The Sharks, who are 14-18-4 as the visiting team this season, will begin a three-game road trip tonight. They will also visit Colorado on Wednesday before ending the swing in LA on Thursday.
Dallas has won four of six meetings with the Sharks this season and is 7-3-1 (3 losses, 1 tie) in the last 11 matchups.