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    Max Miller
    Max Miller
    Dec 23, 2023, 20:36

    The San Jose Sharks face the Vancouver Canucks for the fourth time this season and are looking to end a four-game losing streak.

    The San Jose Sharks face the Vancouver Canucks for the fourth time this season and are looking to end a four-game losing streak.

    Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports - Pregame Preview #34: Sharks Look To End Four-Game Skid Against Canucks

    The San Jose Sharks (9-21-3) face the Vancouver Canucks (22-9-3) for the fourth time this season and are looking to end a four-game losing streak.

    San Jose beat the Canucks 4-3 on Nov. 25. Vancouver has won two of the three matchups this season, outscoring San Jose 16-6 in those games.

    "If there's a measuring point for our season, I think it's the Vancouver Canucks," Sharks head coach David Quinn said. "Now we've got an opportunity to even a series against one of the top teams in the league. "

    Filip Zadina scored his first goal in 15 games in the last game as he was elevated to the top line. 

    "It felt really nice to get on [the] board with a goal. I believe we deserved it as a line because we were going hard from the first shift we had together. We created a lot of chances," Zadina said postgame. 

    The Sharks have struggled with turnovers and puck-watching during this losing streak. When discussing the team's issues after the Arizona Coyotes game, David Quinn didn't mince words. 

    "I think puck-watching and forcing offense is in our game. It's not creeping, it's there," Quinn said. "Until we get back to being consistent with doing the right things shift in and shift out, we're probably going to be on the losing end of it."

    Jack Studnicka will face the Canucks for the first time since he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. 

    Quinn confirmed that Mackenzie Blackwood will start tonight. Alexander Barabanov was scratched due to an illness last game and won't play tonight. Givani Smith left the previous game with an injury and won't play. Calen Addison is dealing with a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision.  

    Sharks projected lines:

    Eklund-Hertl-Zadina
    Duclair-Granlund-Zetterlund
    Labanc-Kunin-Hoffman
    Bailey-Studnicka-MacDonald

    Ferraro-Burroughs
    Okhotiuk-Addison
    Thrun-Rutta

    Blackwood
    Kahkonen

    The Canucks are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. Andrei Kuzmenko has been a healthy scratch but could re-enter the lineup. He took part in line rushes this morning. 

    Puck drop is at 7 p.m. PST and can be seen on NBC Sports California or the Sharks Audio Network. 

    Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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