Sharks need OT to trim Colorado, 3-2

SAN JOSE–Despite facing an Avalanche team on the slide, San Jose needed overtime to settle things at sold-out SAP Center Saturday night, winning 3-2.
San Jose brought a 28-13 edge in victories into the first game of a two-game series with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado had two overtime wins along with 14 losses in the past 16 games entering play. The Avalanche, with a league high 29 losses going into the 44^th game of the season, also had a league low 87 goals before Saturday.
The Sharks were able to outlast Colorado in overtime for their fourth consecutive win. Spencer Martin, a 21-year-old goaltender making his NHL debut for the visitors, finished with 27 saves. The Avalanche had been 5-0 in 3-on-3 overtimes before tonight’s loss.  
The Sharks complete the two-game series with Colorado Monday to begin a two-game roadtrip. A second win over the Avalanche would create a season-high five-game streak. After visiting the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday, San Jose completes the pre-All-Star Game portion of the schedule at home Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers.
Colorado was able to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits before David Schlemko tapped in a rebound of a Logan Couture blast at 1:18 of the overtime for San Jose.
San Jose trailed 13-9 in shots on net in the first period, yet took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Sharks produced the game’s lone power play goal 5:36 into the game. Joe Thornton fashioned his 991^st NHL assist when had controlled the puck behind the Colorado net before jamming a pass across the front of the crease to Joel Ward for the one-timer inside the right post.
The Avalanche responded with a goal 10:30 into the second period. Nathan MacKinnon, the Colorado scoring leader, rushed toward the net from the right circle before dishing the puck to Mikhail Grigorenko at the bottom of the right circle for the equalizer past Martin Jones.
San Jose regained the lead at 15:01 of the second. Melker Karlsson moved from behind the Colorado net in time to redirect Ryan Carpenter’s high shot from the top of the right circle past Martin. Carpenter earned his first career assist.
Colorado earned one point by forcing the overtime when defenseman Francois Beauchemin powered a shot past a screened Jones at 10:24 of the third period.
Coupled with Anaheim’s loss to Minnesota, the Sharks are one point behind the Pacific Division-pacing Ducks.