DALLAS -- At one time, the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars were Pacific Division rivals. However, that's about the only similarity they share heading into their game Monday night at American Airlines Center.
San Jose (42-22-7) has dropped two straight games, including a 2-1 loss to Anaheim at home on Saturday, but the Sharks remain in the top spot in the Pacific and the 2016 Stanley Cup finalists look like a serious Western Conference contender again this season. They open a four-game road trip in Dallas.
The Stars (28-33-10) sit in sixth place in the Central Division and are all but out of the playoff race.