The Sharks got a pair of second period goals from their defense, and began their longest road trip of the season with a 3-0 win over Washington at Verizon Center on Tuesday.
San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak, while Washington saw its five-game winning streak come to an end.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic opened the scoring with his second goal. The defenseman’s offering from high in the zone hit traffic in front, deflecting through Braden Holtby at 12:23 of the middle frame.
Brent Burns increased it to 2-0. After breaking the puck out to Logan Couture in the neutral zone, Burns charged ahead into the offense zone and received a pass from Couture. He powered in a wrist shot from the top of the circle at 17:26 of the second period for his fifth score.
After getting pulled for the first time on Saturday against Pittsburgh, Martin Jones stood tall in net. He stopped Andre Burakovsky early in the second, and denied Justin Williams several times in the second and third periods, getting his right pad on one Williams try five-and-a-half minutes into the final frame.
Jones finished with 24 saves for his first shutout of the year and 14th of his career.
Joe Thornton added an empty net goal with 1:32 to go. It was his second of the season, both coming with the opposing goaltender pulled.
Rookie Kevin Labanc made his NHL debut, skating on the second line with Couture and Joonas Donskoi. The 20-year-old former sixth-round pick finished with one shot and a plus-one rating.
The Sharks have won 12 of their last 13 games in Washington (12-1-0). Their six-game road trip continues in Florida on Thursday against the Panthers.
Special teams
The penalty kill remains a strength for San Jose, going 3-for-3. The Sharks are a perfect 21-for-21 over their last eight games.
San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play, including a late advantage when they already had a three-goal lead.
In goal
Jones has started 12 of the Sharks' 13 games this season. He moved his record back to an even 6-6, and is a perfect 3-0 in his career against the Capitals.
Holtby allowed two goals on 22 shots, and is 2-3-0 in his career versus the Sharks.
Lineup
Matt Nieto came out of the lineup to make room for Labanc. He has missed six of the last seven games.
Up next
The Sharks will play a pair of games in the state of Florida later this week, visiting the Panthers on Thursday and Lightning on Saturday. They continue on to Carolina, St. Louis and Arizona before finally returning home to host New Jersey on Nov. 21.
