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Coyotes-Sharks Preview

The San Jose Sharks' win over the Arizona Coyotes last month came amidst a season-high point streak that has since drifted into inconsistent play.

The good news is the Coyotes haven't been able to make up much ground, anyway.

While the Coyotes seek just their fourth win in the last month on Saturday night, the Sharks hope a home game against their Pacific Division foe brings similar success that it has over the last decade.

San Jose (28-20-5) earned its fourth win in the last five games of this series with a 3-1 victory at Arizona on Jan. 21. That was the Sharks' seventh step on a 10-game point streak that lasted from Jan. 9-26, though they have been up and down since.

They have traded wins and losses for a 2-2-1 record and have surrendered at least five goals in two of the last three games. A shutout came from the other, but the Sharks have dropped eight points behind division-leading Los Angeles.

While San Jose combined for just nine goals in its four previous games, it busted out for five on Thursday against Calgary. The Flames, however, scored the same amount on backup Alex Stalock before eventually winning 6-5 in a shootout.

The Sharks did, though, escape with a point after trailing 4-1 through one period - a nice consolation to tag onto Tuesday's 2-0 win at Chicago.

''We stuck with it and found a way to get a point," coach Peter DeBoer said.

San Jose has taken most of the points in this series since the 2012-13 season, earning 23 of a possible 30 with a 10-2-3 record.

The advantage is more lopsided while dating back further at San Jose. The Sharks are 18-2-5 there against the Coyotes since Jan. 18, 2007, going 5-0-3 in the past eight.

San Jose is also currently riding an eight-game home point streak, but it follows Saturday's game with a five-game road trip that starts Tuesday in Tampa Bay.

Starting goaltender Martin Jones has only been part of this series this season, but he made 23 saves to earn the win last month. Jones recorded one of his 12 career shutouts in his only other start against Arizona while with Los Angeles in December 2014.

Arizona (25-23-6) followed last month's loss to San Jose with back-to-back wins, but the Coyotes picked up only one point while matching a season-worst five-game losing streak.

Shane Doan put the brakes on the skid Friday, however, with two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over Calgary. Doan's big day helped him become the Coyotes leader with 931 career points.

''What he's done for this organization is phenomenal,'' coach Dave Tippett said. ''The commitment he has to the organization, to the city, to his teammates, it's just amazing to watch every day.''

Louis Domingue made 26 saves for the win, but it may be Anders Lindback who gets a shot to end his struggles Saturday. Lindback hasn't won since Dec. 27 and surrendered five goals in his last start, a 5-2 loss at Anaheim on Feb. 5.

Sharks left winger Patrick Marleau has scored in his last two games and added an assist against the Flames, and he beat Domingue for a goal last month.

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