It's not often a spot sets up better for the road team, but it does in this instance.

San Jose is rested. This marks the Sharks' first road game of the season. They've enjoyed an extended homestand that ended with a 5-2 victory against Montreal on Tuesday.

New Jersey beat Ottawa, 5-4, in overtime on the road last night. This is the Devils' third game in four nights. New Jersey has failed to win six of the past seven times it has played without rest.

The Devils have been a major surprise opening the season with a 6-1 record after finishing 29th in the NHL last season with 28 victories. The Devils definitely are improved. They have some promising young talent. They've also been fortunate with four of their victories coming by one goal.

The Sharks' Stanley Cup window probably has closed, but they still are a respected, veteran team that definitely is playoff-worthy. It remains to be seen if the Devils can keep up their surprising pace.

The Devils are likely to have backup Keith Kinkaid in goal after regular netminder Cory Schneider suffered a lower-body injury last night.

The Sharks have dominated this series winning seven of the past nine meetings. They are 5-0 in their last five visits to New Jersey.