TV: SUN SPORTS
GAME TIME: COVERAGE BEGINS AT 7:30 P.M.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have ridden their dynamic offense toward the top of the Eastern Conference, but a recent inability to defend has them in danger of a season-worst losing streak.
The San Jose Sharks will try to take advantage of Tampa Bay's struggles when the teams square off Sunday night in northern California.
Tampa Bay (34-17-6) has been largely pedestrian since entering the All-Star break alone atop the East as one of the most dangerous teams in the league, losing five of nine and three of its last four.
The Lightning are looking to avoid losing three in a row for the first time since March after falling 6-3 at home to St. Louis on Thursday.
"We didn't play well defensively," star Steven Stamkos told the Lightning's official website. "We were giving pucks away and not winning battles, kind of the opposite of the way we wanted to come out ... That's not acceptable, especially in front of our fans."
After allowing 2.52 goals per game through 52 contests, Tampa Bay has surrendered an average of 3.80 in its last five and allowed at least three goals in all of them.
Now looking to avoid a season-high three-game losing streak, the Lightning embark on a five-game road trip, where poor defensive play has plagued them all season. They have given up only 2.17 goals per game at home, but sit near the bottom of the NHL with 3.11 allowed on the road.
Ben Bishop was pulled Thursday for the second time in three starts and owns a 5.50 goals-against average in that span. Backup Andrei Vasilevskiy is 4-1-1 with a 2.00 GAA in eight appearances including a scoreless third period in relief of Bishop on Thursday.
San Jose (29-20-8) poses a formidable challenge for whichever goaltender gets the nod Sunday. The Sharks have scored a league-best 3.50 goals per game since Jan. 21.
That offense, however, has not directly led to wins, as San Jose had lost five of six before overcoming a two-goal deficit to beat Arizona 4-2 on Friday. Joe Pavelski led the comeback with three goals and is approaching the league lead with 31 this season.
"There aren't many nights that (Pavelski) doesn't bring that emotion and drive to the game," coach Todd McLellan told the Sharks' official website. "He and a couple of others are our poster children for preparation and professionalism.
"If I'm a young player or an old player, I'm taking a look his way and asking 'What is this guy doing, and am I emulating it?' And if I'm not, I should be banging my head against the wall trying to figure out why not."
Pavelski has nine goals and five assists in his last 12 games. He also had a hat trick in a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay on Jan. 18, 2014, and he went without a point in the teams' first matchup this season but San Jose won 2-1 on Nov. 13.
The Sharks are 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings, and the Lightning have been outscored 27-7 in losing five straight at San Jose since March 24, 2003.
Antti Niemi is 5-0-1 lifetime against Tampa Bay but has lost his last four home starts with a 3.90 GAA.
Stamkos scored his 29th goal Thursday and has totaled seven along with three assists in seven career meetings with San Jose.
