Sharks end road woes with big win over Devils

Field Level Media|published: Fri 1st December, 21:53 2023

Dec 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) covers the puck in front of New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) and right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) as center Tomas Hertl (48) and defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) defend during the first period at Prudential Center. credits: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Duclair scored twice, Jacob MacDonald had his first career two-goal game and the San Jose Sharks overcame a significant shot disparity to snap a season-opening 10-game road losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils Friday night in Newark, N.J.

The Sharks improved to 6-6-1 in their past 13 since starting the season with 11 straight losses. San Jose never trailed and also ended a 13-game road losing streak that dated to a 7-2 win at Arizona on April 1.

Mikael Granlund scored and added two assists for his first three-point game since Feb. 23. MacDonald scored San Jose's first two goals after entering the game with four career goals.

William Eklund added an empty-net goal as the Sharks survived getting outshot 47-18.

Kaapo Kahkonen made 44 saves and was aided by a defense that blocked 31 shots in front of him.

Dawson Mercer, Jack Hughes and Ondrej Palat scored for the Devils, who had their second three-game winning streak of the season stopped.

New Jersey goalie Akira Schmid allowed five goals on 17 shots.

San Jose opened the scoring 2:10 in after former Shark Timo Meier lost the puck along the right boards to Ty Emberson. Mario Ferraro gained possession, cut down the left side and slid the puck to MacDonald, who scored into the vacated right side of the net.

New Jersey tied it thanks to a fluky bounce with 6:39 left in the first. Simon Nemec took a shot from the point that caromed off the end boards and popped into the crease for Mercer, who converted the easy-tap in.

San Jose regained the lead 2:51 into the second when MacDonald crashed the left side of the crease and tipped Matt Benning's point shot by Schmid. Nearly seven minutes after MacDonald's second goal, Duclair ripped a one-timer from the high slot into the net after Hughes lost the puck in the neutral zone to Granlund.

New Jersey cut it to 3-2 2:56 into the third when Hughes finished off a breakaway after stealing the puck from Calen Addison.

Duclair answered with his own breakaway at 5:07 of the third, scoring on a backhander after New Jersey defenseman John Marino lost the puck in the neutral zone.

Palat's goal made it a one-goal game with 7:02 left, but Granlund scored 40 seconds later.

—Field Level Media

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