Nolan, Selanne, Marleau score goals in 3-1 win over L.A.
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks moved within five points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference Tuesday witha 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at sold-out HP Pavilion.
San Jose fell behind 1-0 on a Brian Smolinski goal just 2:07 to play, then rattled off three goals (two on power plays) in the first period to extend a current winning streak to a season-high three games.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim provide the competition Thursday in San Jose before the Sharks take a five-day respite over the All-Star Weekend.
“Three in a row is huge,” said Teemu Selanne, who provided his team-leading 21st goal 9:46 into play to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead. “Every line’s playing really well. The second half of the second period was a little sloppy. Nabby’s been solid in net and he gives us a chance to win. We got very important goals from our power play.”
Evgeni Nabokov, coming off Monday’s 3-0 shut-out of the Kings in Monday’s opener of a home-and-home series, finished with 28 saves in earning a 15th win.
Owen Nolan, scoring a goal in each of the last five games, stuffed home a rebound of a Mike Ricci offering 4:43 into play for a power play goal and a 1-1 score. Selanne then drilled a power-play goal from the left circle through a screen, the puck flying inside the left post despite goalie Felix Potvin’s move to turn back the shot.
Patrick Marleau took advantage of a Selanne face-off win in the offensive zone to net his 19th goal at 13:04 of the period, Scott Thornton and Selanne earning assists.
“Each game, our confidence is growing,” said Nolan. “Everything just seems to be clicking right now.”
“We’re playing a little smarter, a little more disciplined,” Thornton said of the winning streak. “We’re playing good positional hockey.”
The Sharks, 10th in the conference (19-20-6-5) with 49 points, can move to .500 for the year with a win Thursday. The Mighty Ducks are ninth with 51points heading into tonight’s home date with the Ottawa Senators. Both Chicago and Colorado have 54 points to share seventh place.
“We’re starting to do things really well,” said Coach Ron Wilson. “We’ve been getting good starts to games. Nabby’s been sharp. The special teams, the last two games, have made a big difference. Even though they scored first, we managed to come right back. Our power play, something that let us down in the past, now is rising to the occasion.”
Kyle McLaren made his Sharks debut with 22 shifts covering 13:18 ice time and a plus-one rating for the contest. He was involved in a first-period fight with Kings defenseman Brad Norton (Norton was given an instigator penalty).
“Kyle McLaren was aggressive,” said Wilson of the 25-year-old defenseman. “He’s going to be a real fan favorite, the way he plays with reckless abandon. That’s something we’ve needed. He didn’t look at all out of place (for a first game in nine months). He’ll be a little sore (Wednesday). He’ll have two games in three days, then a five-day break.”
“It’s the type of thing to get you back in mid-season form,” said McLaren of the fight. “I didn’t think I’d get that many minutes. I felt great, just a few aches and bruises.”
Wilson noted that Nolan has been able to contribute more offensively as he has regained his health.
“He’s as healthy now as he’s been all season,” said Wilson. “That helps. He’s leading on the ice and in the lockerroom.” Nolan’s goal was his 200th as a Shark, adding to his franchise record.
