Sharks at Ducks: Lines, gamethread, and where to watch

The Sharks (29-18-8, 2nd Pacific) will hit the road to try to clinch the season series against the Anaheim Ducks (27-19-10, 5th Pacific) in a huge game tonight. The Ducks sit two points and three places behind the Sharks in the standings, so we have the classic makings of a four point Pacific division contest tonight. A regulation win would put the Sharks four points clear of Anaheim and solidify their play off standing in a big way, a regulation loss would tie the two clubs in poitns. The second game of a back to back on the road is always tough, though, and last night's 6-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers was likely exhausting.

The Ducks are also coming into tonight fresh off of a regulation win over the playoff bound (I'm sorry, it's just too good) Oilers, theirs a 3-2 win on Friday night. The Sharks have won two of their three games against the Ducks this season, so tonight could clinch the season series for the boys in blue.

The Ducks are a dangerous team, though, having won their last two games in a row, and seven of their last eight at home. The top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Rickard Rakell has been particularly effective, accounting for six of the team's 11 goals since the trio's inception against the Toronto Maple Leafs three games ago.

The Sharks may take some inspiration from their daddos on the second game of the team's annual father's trip. Papa Pavelski in particular was treated to quite a show last night. Captain America himself has six points in his last two games, including a two goal, two assist night against the Oilers; if he and newly discovered offensive dynamo Joakim Ryan can continue their torrid pace from last night, and the Sharks can withstand what is sure to be an early barrage from the rested quackers, we could be looking at a much less delicate position in the division later this evening.

Sharks Lines

Tomas Hertl -- Logan Couture -- Kevin Labanc

Timo Meier -- Joe Pavelski -- Joonas Donskoi

Mikkel Boedker -- Chris Tierney -- Melker Karlsson

Barclay Goodrow -- Danny O'Regan -- Jannik Hansen

Brent Burns -- Joakim Ryan

Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Justin Braun

Brenden Dillon -- Dylan DeMelo

Martin Jones

Aaron Dell

Scratched: Tim Heed, Rudolfs Balcers

Injured: Joel Ward (shoulder), Joe Thornton (knee)

Heed and Balcers were both recalled from the AHL this morning, but at this point the team seems to see fit to have them watch the big boys from on high. Marcus Sorensen was hurt in an AHL contest last night, so Balcers is apparently next in line.

Ducks Lines

Rickard Rakell -- Ryan Getzlaf -- Corey Perry

Andrew Cogliano -- Ryan Kesler -- Jakob Silfverberg

Nick Ritchie -- Adam Henrique -- Ondrej Kase

Chris Wagner -- Derek Grant -- J.T. Brown

Cam Fowler -- Kevin Bieksa

Hampus Lindholm -- Josh Manson

Francois Beauchemin -- Brandon Montour

John Gibson

Ryan Miller

Scratched: Korbinian Holzer, Antoine Vermette

Injured: Patrick Eaves (illness)

Where to watch

Broadcast: NBCSCA, PRIME

Stream: NHL.tv / NHL App

Radio: 98.5 KFOX / NHL App / Sharks App