Sharks host struggling Kings

The San Jose Sharks will resume a six-game homestand rival Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion.

The Sharks opened the residency with a shootout win over Pittsburgh and dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime versus Nashville on Saturday. David Legwand scored twice and tipped in the winning goal 2:53 into overtime to lead the Predators and send San Jose to their second loss in three games.

Logan Couture had a goal and two assists for the Sharks, while Joe Pavelski had a goal and an assist. Martin Havlat also lit the lamp, while Antti Niemi made 31 stops in defeat for the Sharks, who had won six of seven games before the recent loss.

"We scored early in the third period, and you can't sit back," Pavelski told the team's site. "They were pressing a little but we expected that, and there's no reason we shouldn't handle it."

Pavelski has seven goals and six assists over his last eight contests. San Jose will also host Minnesota, Phoenix and Detroit on the homestand and is 2-2-1 at home this season.

Los Angeles is currently in a funk, having lost four straight and five of six games since a four-game winning streak. In Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anze Kopitar and Simon Gagne both scored to provide the offense.

"Anytime you give up a goal it is unfortunate, especially late in the game," Kopitar said. "There's nothing you can do but fight on and go after it again. I think we played really good. The key to our success is the play through the neutral zone, enter the zone with good speed and spacing."

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made 31 saves in defeat.

Los Angeles will try to stop a two-game losing streak on the road and is 3-1-2 away from Hollywood this season. After tonight's road bout in San Jose, the Kings will return home for a four-game residency versus the Predators, Canucks, Wild and Ducks.

San Jose eliminated LA in six games during the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season and split six matchups during the regular season. The Kings have lost seven of 10 trips to San Jose.