Morning briefing

Joe Thornton and the Sharks are in for a visit tonight. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Good morning from TD Banknorth Garden, where the two titans of the league will face off tonight. The game will air on Versus.

Some tidbits from the game notes:

* Michael Ryder (face) will miss his second straight game. We should get an update on his surgery this morning.

* Tim Thomas is expected to start.

* The Sharks have dropped their last three games. This is their longest winless streak of the season.

* San Jose has the fifth-best power play in the league (23.2 percent). The Sharks have the second-best road PP (24.5 percent).

* Torrey Mitchell (leg), Jeremy Roenick (shoulder), and Brad Lukowich (groin) are on injured reserve.

* Chris Rooney and Don Van Massenhoven will be the referees. Pierre Champoux and Derek Nansen will be the linesmen. Rooney was the ref who tossed Joe Thornton from his first match against the Bruins for decking Hal Gill.