By Dave Vest
GLENDALE -- The Coyotes will continue a season-long six-game homestand tonight with a match against the San Jose Sharks at Jobing.com Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. (Arizona time).

Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall, who missed the past three games because of an upper-body injury, will return to the lineup. Upshall leads the Coyotes with 14 goals.

"I'm looking forward to getting back and jumping into what's going to be a big game for us," Upshall said. "...When you play a good team like San Jose and someone that's ahead of you in the standings, you've really got to bring your 'A' game and step up and have key players make contributions."

Phoenix (26-15-5) has earned six of a possible eight points vs. San Jose this season. After tonight's game, the teams won't play again until April 10 - the regular-season finale for both clubs.

"They're a big strong team and if you're not willing to compete in the hard areas of the game you're going to get beat," Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett said. "I think we've done a good job against them."

Coyotes backup goalie Jason LaBarbera will make his first start since he beat the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Dec. 29. LaBarbera is 2-2-0 vs. San Jose over his career with a 3.04 goals-against average.

San Jose (29-10-7) played Monday night at Los Angeles and beat the Kings 2-1. The Sharks are 4-1-2 in the second game of back-to-back games this season.

Since beating the Coyotes 3-2 in a shootout on New Year's Eve, the Sharks have won three of five games. They enter the game eight points ahead of the second-place Coyotes in the Pacific Division standings.

Sharks forward Patrick Marleau co-leads the NHL with 29 goals, and center Joe Thornton ranks second in the league with 59 points.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Click here to watch an interview with Upshall recorded after Monday's practice