SAN JOSE – Mirco Mueller produced one goal and one assist in the first period Saturday night to spark the San Jose Sharks to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at sold-out SAP Center.
Playing in his third game for the Sharks this season, the 21-year-old Mueller netted his first multiple-point game in 53 career NHL games.
The loss dropped Detroit into the eighth and final spot in the eight-team Atlantic Division. Five games into a season-high seven-game road trip, Detroit was coming off a 4-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Kings. Rookie goaltender Jared Coreau could not repeat that 34-save effort, leaving the net against the Sharks trailing 3-1 at the end of one period.
San Jose moved into first place in the Pacific Division with 50 points after 40 games. The Sharks play in Edmonton and Calgary Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting the St. Louis Blues Saturday night.
After twice giving up a two-goal lead Thursday in a 5-4 loss to red-hot Minnesota, San Jose was able to expand its two-goal lead over Detroit by sending three goals at goaltender Petr Mrazek in the third period.
The Red Wings took a 1-0 lead 12:49 into the first period on Thomas Vanek’s 10th goal of the season.
San Jose drew even at 1-1 when Joonas Donskoi was positioned at the Detroit crease to deflect home a Tommy Wingels offering at 15:59. Mueller earned the secondary assist.
Mueller roped a high shot from the left point past Coreau’s left shoulder at 17:29 for the 2-1 lead. Patrick Marleau added his 12th goal of the season, 493 for his career, with 28.1 seconds left in the period.
After a scoreless second period, Joe Pavelski produced two goals in the third for his 600th NHL point. Brent Burns assisted Pavelski at 1:50 and Thornton did the honors at 10:31.
Mikkel Boedker added his first goal since Nov. 1 when he tipped home a Burns strike at the 4:11 mark.
Detroit completed the scoring with goals by Anthony Mantha at 4:43 and Andreas Athanasiou at 13:46.
Goaltender Martin Jones made 32 saves in earning his 20th victory.Â
