SAN JOSE – Different path but the same result.
The San Jose Sharks claimed sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division with 10 points Saturday night with a 3-2 squeaker over the Ottawa Senators at SAP Center at San Jose.
After three 4-1 wins to go along with the 9-2 drubbing of the New York Rangers the Sharks needed Brent Burns’ goal at the end of a power play opportunity in the third period to keep their record clean at 5-0.
Rookie standout Tomas Hertl, who came into the game as the league’s top goal scorer, produced the game’s first goal but missed the final 22 minutes of play. Involved in a collision in the offensive zone with Ottawa’s Clarke MacArthur, Hertl dropped his gloves and stick on the ice and went to the lockerroom for evaluation.
“He’s a little bit sore but I think he’ll be fine,” said coach Todd McLellan.
Hertl’s goal came 55 seconds into the first period. Dan Boyle’s blistering shot from the blueline led to a short rebound by goaltender Robin Lehner. Hertl, at the edge of the crease, quickly jammed the puck inside the left post for his eighth goal of the season.
The Senators, third in the Atlantic Division entering play, responded with two goals for a 2-1 margin after one period.
Center Zach Smith netted his first goal of the season at 15:21 when he drove a long rebound past goaltender Antti Niemi. The Senators scored on their first power play try of the night when Bobby Ryan snapped a shot from the right circle off a crisp cross-ice pass from Jason Spezza to make it 2-1 at the 18:31 mark.
San Jose, good for a 14-10 edge in shots on net in the second period, pulled even at 16:12 on Patrick Marleau’s power play goal. Matt Irwin’s shot from the left flank resulted in a rebound toward the right circle that allowed Marleau to backhand his fourth goal of the year behind Lehner.
“There’s going to be ups and downs,” Marleau said of the tightly-played game. “We looked at this as a challenge.”
San Jose earned a power play 5:07 into the third when Spezza was called for roughing. As the 120 seconds expired, Joe Thornton’s low pass across the crease set up Burns for the jam shot past Lehner for the game-winner.
“A great pass by Jumbo” said Burns. “I didn’t have to do much.”
San Jose had a four-minute power play in the third when Lehner was whistled for high-sticking Burns. The Senators killed off that threat, then pulled Lehner for an added skater for the 75 seconds without success. San Jose had a 24-5 edge in shots on net in the final 20 minutes.
The Sharks play six of the next seven games on the road. San Jose hosts Calgary Saturday at 7 p.m.
