SoCal NHL Preview

San Jose (49-21-10) at Los Angeles (31-42-7), 7:30 pm, FSN

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Evgeni Nabokov understands that the San Jose Sharks' goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Nabokov makes a rare appearance on the bench Thursday when the Sharks visit the Los Angeles Kings in the finale of a home-and-home series.

The 32-year-old Nabokov picked up his 46th win of the season on Tuesday, making 16 saves to help San Jose forge a 5-2 victory over the Kings. With the win, the Sharks goaltender is just two wins away from equalling the NHL single-season wins record of 48 - set by Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils during the 2006-07 campaign.

However, with only two games remaining and the Pacific Division title already in hand, coach Ron Wilson has decided to rest Nabokov in preparation for the playoffs. "I wouldn't play him just to tie Brodeur's record," Wilson said. "The plan now is for (backup Brian) Boucher to play in LA and (Nabokov) in Dallas. (The plan has) been in place for a while. "If I play (Nabokov) in both games looking for a record, it comes back to haunt you, because Boucher goes into the playoffs not having played for a long time." Boucher is 3-6-0 with one tie in 11 career appearances against the Kings, but did win his lone start against the Sharks cross-state rivals on March 18, making 29 saves en route to a 2-1 victory.

Patrick O'Sullivan and Raitis Ivanans both scored goals on Tuesday for the Kings, who fell to 3-2-1 over the last six games.