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GAME: San Jose Sharks (19-11-11-4) at Colorado Avalanche (25-10-7-2).

The Colorado Avalanche look to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games when they face the San Jose Sharks, a team they haven't lost to in two years.

The Avs tied their season-best winning streak at four and won for the eighth time in nine games Thursday, 4-1 over the Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center.

Colorado has earned points in nine straight contests (8-0-0-1) and 20 of its last 23 to move into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Northwest Division.

Against the Stars on Thursday, Peter Forsberg continued his strong play since returning to the lineup, scoring two goals to lead the Avs.

Forsberg opened this season with five goals and 11 assists in nine games, but missed 25 of the next 27 contests with a groin injury. Since returning Dec. 27, he's picked up where he left off, recording five goals and 12 assists in 11 games.

"I think Peter is playing great," Avs coach Tony Granato said. "One thing you know is that he empties the tank, he gives you every ounce of energy he has in his body night after night."

Forsberg has recorded a point in a season-high eight straight games.

"I've been in this league a long time. I'm getting old so I don't know if it's the best I've ever played," Forsberg said. "But it's definitely one of the best points streaks I think I've had."

Colorado is 7-0-1 in its last eight meetings with San Jose since a 1-0 overtime defeat at home on Jan. 15, 2002. But this season's Sharks have been one of the most surprising teams in the NHL.

San Jose's success can be attributed to its play at home, where it beat Vancouver 3-1 on Thursday to improve to 9-1-4-2 in its last 16 games at HP Pavilion.

Alex Korolyuk had a goal and an assist, and Evgeni Nabokov made 34 saves as the Sharks stretched their Pacific Division lead to seven points -- the largest division lead in the NHL.

"We've just been solid, and other teams have come on hard times," San Jose coach Ron Wilson said. "That lead will shrink ... but this is a good start. We're not that great of a team to just throw our skates on and win.

"We've got to be sharp and detail-oriented, and eventually, everything will come."