SAN JOSE– Two goals in a span of nine seconds in the third period helped the San Jose Sharks break open the third game of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, making it a 3-0 San Jose series lead by defeating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-2 at sold-out HP Pavilion.
The fourth game of the series is Tuesday at 7pm at HP Pavilion. If needed, Game Five is Thursday at 7pm in Vancouver.
Vancouver struck for a goal 11:07 into the second period to cut the San Jose lead to 2-1. The Sharks responded with three goals in the third period, including the two in quick succession.
San Jose was on a power play to begin the third period. Logan Couture’s low shot from the left circle skimmed inside the far post at 1:40 for the 3-1 cushion.
The score grew to 4-1 at 1:49 after Patrick Marleau powered into the Canuck zone and angled across the low slot to deposit a shot inside the left post.
“The back-to-back goals were a bit of a back-breaker and worked in our favor,” said San Jose coach Todd McLellan.
The Sharks made it 5-1 at 4:07 of the third when Couture added a goal after 21 seconds of power play.
“The first goal I was trying to put it on net, the second I was looking high glove and it went five-hole so I’ll take it,” said Couture.
The Canucks completed the scoring when Dan Hamhuis lined a high shot over goaltender Antti Niemi at 13:12 of the third period.
San Jose’s power play proficiency came into play in the first period. Vancouver took two penalties in a span of 24 seconds to earn the Sharks a two-man advantage for as much as 96 seconds.
Joe Thornton ignited the game’s first scoring play, handling the puck at the bottom of the right circle. Couture set up in the line slot and received Thornton’s soft pass. Rather than firing on net, Couture jabbed the puck to an unmarked Joe Pavelski at the left post. Pavelski quickly redirected the puck past goaltender Cory Schneider at the 14:08 mark.
Pavelski made it 2-0 at 7:20 of the second period. Scott Hannan, earning his 15th career postseason assist, drove the puck into the Canuck zone. Pavelski moved into the slot as Tommy Wingels lofted a shot from the right post. Pavelski’s redirection sent the puck between Schneider’s pads.
NOTES: Scott Gomez made his first appearance in the playoffs for the Sharks, taking the place of Tim Kennedy in the line-up…Both Justin Braun and Matt Irwin earned their first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff points with assists in the third period…Marleau has at least one point in every one of the eight games played by San Jose against Vancouver in franchise history…San Jose had not scored more than four goals in a postseason game since a 6-3 win over Los Angeles on April 21, 2011.
