Programming note
Canucks-Sharks coverage gets underway today at 4:30 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live, only on Comcast SportsNet California

Where they stand
Sharks: 4-0-0, 8 pts.,1st Pacific Division, 2nd Western Conference
Canucks: 2-1-1, 5 pts., 1st Northwest Division, 3rd Western Conference

Probable lines

Sharks
Marleau – Thornton – Pavelski
Havlat – Couture – Clowe
Wingels – Handzus – Galiardi
Desjardins – Gomez – Burish

Vlasic – Stuart
Irwin – Boyle
Murray – Braun

Niemi
Greiss

Canucks
D. Sedin – H. Sedin – Kassian
Higgins – Burrows – Hansen
Raymond – Schroeder – Weise
Lapierre – Malhotra – Volpatti

Garrison – Edler
Hamhuis – Bieksa
Ballard – Tanev

Schneider
Luongo

Keep an eye on…

Sharks: The top line. What can you say about the combination of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski? Thornton and Marleau are tied for the league lead in scoring with 11 points each, while Pavelski has quietly put up eight assists, giving them a combined 30 points. Marleau’s eight goals – also tops in the league – equals the number of goals posted by five NHL teams this season (LA, Washington, Florida, Columbus and New Jersey).

Canucks: Cory Schneider. The Canucks' new starting goalie got off to a rough start when he was pulled on opening night, but he’s responded with back-to-back wins, including his fifth career shutout against the Ducks on Friday. The 26-year-old former first round pick is still backed up by Roberto Luongo, who has been the subject of rampant trade rumors since before the lockout.

Last game

Sharks: Patrick Marleau had his fourth straight two-goal game to start the season, becoming just the second player in NHL history to do so, in leading the Sharks to a 4-0 win over Colorado at HP Pavilion on Saturday. Thomas Greiss notched his first career NHL shutout with 24 saves, and Joe Thornton and Matt Irwin added goals. Dan Boyle and Ryane Clowe had two assists apiece to keep the Sharks perfect. The Sharks were 3-for-6 on the power play.

Canucks: Cory Schneider stopped all 30 Anaheim shots he saw in a 5-0 Vancouver win over the Ducks at Honda Center on Friday night. Mason Raymond led the way with two goals, while Daniel Sedin, Zack Kassian and Aaron Volpatti had one each. Vancouver was 3-for-9 on the power play.

Injuries

Sharks: Brent Burns (lower body) and Jason Demers (fractured wrist) are out.

Canucks: David Booth (groin) and Ryan Kesler (shoulder, wrist) are out.

Season series

The Sharks visit Vancouver on March 5, and the Canucks return to HP Pavilion on April 1.

Quoteable

“He’s 0-for-4 in getting a hat trick.” – Brad Stuart on Patrick Marleau

Sound off

Is it too early to consider the Sharks an elite Western Conference team again? Leave your answer in the comments section below.