(My Sportsbook) - A pair of first-place clubs will meet today in Newark as the struggling San Jose Sharks visit the New Jersey Devils for an interconference battle at the Prudential Center.

The Sharks have lost five of their last six games, but have recorded at least a point in five of those tests, going 1-1-4 over that stretch. Despite the slide, San Jose still has 83 points on the year and holds a 22-point edge over Dallas and Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead.

However, the slump has helped Detroit cut into San Jose's Western Conference lead, as the Red Wings are now just two points back for the top spot in the West. Detroit is hosting the Colorado Avalanche tonight.

The Sharks have lost their last two games in the shootout, dropping a 2-1 decision to Pittsburgh on Wednesday before falling to Buffalo in Friday's 6-5 game.

Derek Roy capped a wild game at HSBC Arena with the game-winning shootout score, as Buffalo edged San Jose after blowing a three-goal lead.

Patrick Marleau scored twice and Joe Thornton assisted on four of the Sharks' five goals. Dan Boyle had a goal and an assist in the loss while Evgeni Nabokov was beaten five times on 35 shots.

The Sharks fell to 1-0-3 on a season-long five-game road trip that ends today in the Garden State. San Jose is 14-5-6 as the visiting team this season.

The Devils lead the Atlantic with 75 points and are eight ahead of Philadelphia for the division lead. New Jersey is also tied with Washington for the second seed in the East.

New Jersey has won three straight, four of five and 12 of their last 14 games.

The Devils picked up their latest victory Friday night, posting a 1-0 decision over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins. Scott Clemmensen made 31 saves for his second shutout of the season as Jersey edged the Bruins at the Prudential Center.

It was Clemmensen's second straight shutout as he posted 27 saves in a 3-0 win against the Rangers this past Monday.

Bryce Salvador scored the lone goal of the game on an assist from John Madden for the Devils.

This afternoon's test marks the end of a five-game homestand for the Devils, who will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday at Florida. Jersey is 18-10-1 as the host this year and has won three straight and five of its last seven at the Rock.

New Jersey has won five of six and six of the last eight meetings with the Sharks and San Jose has lost three straight on the road in the series.