SAN JOSE – Snapping an eight-game losing streak at home, the San Jose Sharks dispatched the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 Monday night at SAP Center
After trading away three veteran forwards in the last 24 hours, the regrouped Sharks improved to 70 points in the Western Conference, good for a tie with both Los Angeles and Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division. While the Sharks have played 64 games, both the Kings and Flames have played 62 games.
The Sharks visit the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night, then host the same opponent Saturday night.
San Jose has shut-out Montreal three consecutive games, only the second time that has been accomplished in franchise history. The Sharks blanked Phoenix three times in 2007-8.
Montreal, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, brought a four-game winning streak into Monday’s showdown. The Canadiens had suffered only three regulation losses in the past 19 games.
Ben Smith, the lone player brought into the Sharks’ lockerroom during the Trade Deadline moves in the NHL, turned his energy into a goal and an assist for the home squad.
Brought to San Jose from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Andrew Desjardins, Smith posted the first goal of the evening for the Sharks.
When Canadien Alex Galchenyuk tried to clear the defensive zone, San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic was in position at the blueline to intercept the puck and send a high shot toward the net. The puck deflected off Smith’s stick and past goaltender Carey Price for Smith’s sixth goal in 62 games.
Smith was in the morning skate in Chicago when he was told of the trade. Smith left Chicago by 2pm and was able to get to SAP Center by 6:30pm. “A crazy day,” summed up the newest Shark.
Joe Pavelski recorded his 32nd goal of the season during a San Jose power play with 46.1 seconds left in the first period. Brent Burns launched a high shot from the left circle that Pavelski slapped down into the net. A video review confirmed that Pavelski’s stick was at or below the level of the crossbar when he deflected the puck into the net.
While goaltender Alex Stalock was on the way to his second shutout of the season and fourth of his NHL career, the Sharks added to the lead in the second period. Matt Irwin whipped his seventh goal of the year by Price as Smith and Tomas Hertl screened the goaltender at the 6:28 mark.
San Jose completed the scoring at 13:07 of the third when Pavelski’s soft pass from the high slot was redirected by Patrick Marleau past Price for the power play goal.
Montreal appeared to have a goal 7:55 into the third period, but David Desharnais’ shot was slapped away from the net by Burns and a video review left the Canadiens scoreless.
