SAN JOSE – San Jose struck for two goals in the third period Saturday night to upend the New York Islanders 3-1 at sold-out SAP Center.
The victory gave the Sharks seven of eight possible points over the past four games and moved them into a tie with Vancouver in second place in the Pacific Division. Vancouver comes to SAP Center Thursday before the Sharks embark on a seven-game road trip.
The Islanders brought a 6-4 mark into the game, including a 3-2 effort on the road. The visitors managed to skate into the first intermission with a 1-1 deadlock, but after a scoreless second period the Sharks were able to solve goaltender Jaroslav Halak for two goals.
New York earned the game’s first goal 8:06 into action. Defenseman Nick Leddy controlled the puck along the left boards into San Jose’s zone before dropping the puck to Kyle Okposo. The right wing slid past one defender and snapped a shot inside the left post past goaltender Antti Niemi.
San Jose drew even at 10:23 on a power play. Matt Nieto was able to chip the puck away from Isles defenseman Johnny Boychuk at the New York endboards. Tommy Wingels controlled the loose puck and found Tomas Hertl open for a slapshot from the low slot past an off-balance Halak.
“(Tomas) had a little more of an intensity in his game,” said coach Todd McLellan of Hertl’s play.
“We were able to keep our shifts short and keep the puck out of our net,” said Wingels of the Sharks’ defensive play.
After the teams combined for 11 shots in the second period, San Jose scrambled for a pair of even-strength goals in the third.
Logan Couture took the team lead in goals with six when he redirected Justin Braun’s pass over Halak’s left shoulder from a tough angle at the 11:50 mark.
James Sheppard connected for his first goal of the season at the end of a 3 on 2 rush at 15:35. Rookie defenseman Mirco Mueller ignited the rush by denying a New York charge into the San Jose zone. Andrew Desjardins came up with the puck and headed up ice. Burnish took a Desjardins pass at right wing, then threaded a pass past one defenseman to a streaking Sheppard for the point-blank goal.
Notes: Scott Hannan was honored in a pre-game ceremony for playing his 1,000th NHL game on Oct. 14 in Washington. Hannan was injured in the first period after six shifts and did not return to action…San Jose has won 13 of the past 19 games against the Islanders…Barclay Goodrow was activated Saturday and suited up at forward for his second NHL game.
