SAN JOSE – Headed into Monday night, no NHL team had been on the road this season more than the dozen games played by San Jose. That peripatetic schedule has likely played a role in the Sharks’ middling start to the season.
Now, though, they’ll get a chance at home to make up some points that they’ve left on the table. They got two on Monday in the first of a five-game homestand, as the Sharks comfortably defeated the Devils at SAP Center, 4-0.
Chris Tierney, Patrick Marleau, Logan Couture and Brent Burns were the goal scorers, while Martin Jones made 26 saves to record his second shutout.
The Sharks snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1), improving to 5-2 at home. New Jersey lost its third in a row in regulation, getting swept by the three California clubs.
A shorthanded goal got the Sharks on the board. An errant point shot by Jacob Josefson ricocheted all the way out to Tierney, who charged ahead on a two-on-one. Tierney took the shot himself, cleanly beating Keith Kincaid just 1:59 into the game for his long awaited first goal of the season.
Marleau, looking rejuvenated on the top line, increased it to 2-0. Joe Pavelski pushed the puck towards the crease, defenseman Damon Severson fell down leaving Marleau alone in front, and the Sharks forward nailed the post before slapping in the airborne rebound at 6:43.
The Sharks increased their lead with the only goal of the second period. On a power play, Joe Thornton’s attempted pass deflected off of Andy Greene’s skate to the stick of Couture, who had all kinds of room to fire home his fifth of the season at 10:33.
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Burns got credit for the Sharks’ fourth goal in the final frame. The defenseman’s wrist shot from the circle was too hot for Kincaid to handle, and Kyle Quincey inadvertently played the puck off of his skates before swiping it over the line at 7:38.
Center Danny O’Regan made his NHL debut, centering the fourth line. The 22-year-old is tied for the AHL Barracuda team lead with 11 points (5g, 6a).
The Sharks are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Devils. They visit New Jersey on Feb. 12.
