(Sports Network) - The San Jose Sharks will try to avoid a regulation loss for a 20th straight game tonight, as they host the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion in the opener of a home-and-home set.

San Jose has won six of its last seven games, and is 17-0-2 in its last 19 contests, a franchise record for consecutive games with at least a point. The Sharks haven't been defeated in regulation since February 20 against New Jersey.

Joe Thornton scored twice in Sunday's 3-1 victory over Phoenix, giving him seven goals and an assist over his last four games. That was good enough to net him the NHL's first star for last week.

Evgeni Nabokov stopped 19 shots, Curtis Brown also scored and Milan Michalek had two assists for the Sharks, who are guaranteed home-ice advantage through at least the first round of the playoffs. The club earned its first Pacific Division title since 2003-04 by defeating defending division and Stanley Cup champion Anaheim on Friday.

Ryane Clowe returned to the lineup after missing 67 games due to knee surgery. He had an assist on Thornton's first goal. Brian Campbell also had an assist to give him a helper in five straight games.

With three games left to play, the Sharks trail the Red Wings by five points for the best mark in the league. Detroit does not play tonight.

San Jose will play in Los Angeles on Thursday before wrapping the regular season in Dallas on Sunday. The Sharks play their final home game tonight and are 21-13-6 as the host thanks to a current seven-game home winning streak.

The Kings have lost two of three and are last in the NHL with 69 points. LA was blasted last time out, falling to the Stars, 7-2, on Saturday.

Mike Cammalleri and Kevin Dallman each scored for Los Angeles. Erik Ersberg started in net and gave up five goals on 25 shots, and Daniel Taylor stopped 8-of-10 shots in relief.

The Kings are 15-21-4 on the road this year and end the season with two straight at home. In addition to hosting San Jose, Los Angeles will welcome Anaheim to town on Saturday.

These two clubs have actually split six games this year, with each team winning three times on enemy ice. San Jose has won six of nine and eight of their last 12 against Los Angeles, but has dropped five of eight as the host in the series.