SAN JOSE – Tomas Hertl struck for two goals in the first period Saturday to ignite a 4-1 San Jose Sharks victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at sold-out SAP Center.
The 19-year-old netted his first career NHL goal 46 seconds into play.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic intercepted a Coyote clearing pass near the red line. Hertl, exiting the Phoenix zone, picked up Vlasic’s long feed as the circled back into the Phoenix zone. The winger sped past a Phoenix defenseman and backhanded a shot past goaltender Mike Smith.
“I just gave it to Tomas right away,” said Vlasic of the scoring play. “He’s skilled. It’s easy for me – I just make the play. He was completely open. Their D-men changed so I gave it up right away.”
Hertl, who opened his NHL career Thursday with one assist in the 4-1 win over Vancouver, tallied the game’s second goal at the 7:23 mark on a San Jose power play.
Defenseman Matt Irwin’s lofted shot from the blueline was redirected by Hertl past Smith from his spot in front of the crease. Brent Burns earned the secondary assist.
Patrick Marleau gave San Jose a 3-0 cushion with a power play goal 12:30 into the first period. Joe Thornton’s pass set up Joe Pavelski for a one-timer in the low slot that Smith rebuffed. Vlasic, positioned near the left post for the rebound, slipped the puck to an unmarked Marleau for the stuff shot, his 406th career goal.
“The rebound came and I saw Patty open,” sad Vlasic. “He was square right in front of me. Patty scores 40 goals a year – might as well give it to him.”
San Jose goaltender Antti Niemi shutout the Coyotes for the first 36 minutes. Oliver Ekman-Larsson put the Coyotes on the board 16:47 into the second period. The defenseman went from inside the Phoenix blueline to San Jose territory with the puck before snapping a shot by Niemi from the right-wing circle.
The Sharks posted the lone goal of the third period when Logan Couture jammed home an empty-netter with 24.6 seconds left.
The Sharks complete the homestand Tuesday night against the New York Rangers.
