Reinforcements boost Sharks over Ducks

Field Level Media|published: Sun 21st January, 01:04 2024

Jan 20, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Fabian Zetterlund (20) reacts after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. credits: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Hertl and Fabian Zetterlund each had a goal and an assist and Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves as the San Jose Sharks recorded a 5-3 win over the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

The Sharks ended a three-game (0-2-1) winless streak and won for just the second time in their last 17 games (2-14-1).

Kyle Burroughs and Jan Rutta each scored their first goals of the season, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic collected San Jose's other goal.

Logan Couture and Nico Sturm each had an assist in their returns to the ice. Couture was making his season debut after being sidelined by a lower-body injury, while Sturm (hand/wrist injury) had missed San Jose's previous 16 games.

Blackwood, who faced 34 shots, and also earned his second career NHL assist after helping set up Vlasic's goal.

The Ducks dropped to 2-8-1 in their last 11 games, despite outshooting San Jose by a 34-19 margin.

Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist for Anaheim, and Troy Terry had two assists. Mason McTavish and Jackson LaCombe also scored, with LaCombe collecting his first career NHL goal.

John Gibson stopped 14 of 18 shots.

After 35 minutes of scoreless hockey, the teams scored five goals within the final 4:54 of the second period.

At the 15:04 mark, Couture sent a perfect backhand pass in front that Vlasic converted for his second goal of the season. Only 15 seconds later, LaCombe had the quick response with his milestone goal, though a video review was needed for confirmation.

Burroughs restored San Jose's lead at the 17:33 mark, and Zetterlund scored two minutes later. However, Henrique pounced on a loose puck with just four seconds left before the second intermission to bring Anaheim back within one.

The offense kept flowing in the third period. Rutta's tally at 12:15 of the final frame seemed like it might have iced the game for San Jose, but McTavish's power-play goal at the 15:11 mark kept Anaheim within reach.

Hertl finally sealed things with an empty-net marker with seven seconds remaining. Hertl leads the Sharks with 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists).

—Field Level Media

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