San Jose, CA – Joe Thornton had two goals and an assist and 0.
Joe Pavelski, Jamie McGinn and Michal Handzus all had a goal and an assist for the Sharks, who have won two in a row since a three-game skid. Patrick Marleau also lit the lamp.
Steve Mason made 37 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped five straight and sit last in the overall NHL standings with 32 points.
Marleau got San Jose's offense going at the 7:53 mark of the first period. Justin Braun's shot from the right point set up a rebound in front for Marleau.
Thornton scored his first goal of the game less than two minutes later. Thornton intercepted a pass in the Columbus zone, fired a shot on net and jammed home his own rebound.
Pavelski's one-timer from the point made it a 3-0 game at the 4:56 mark of the middle stanza.
McGinn put home a rebound with 3:05 remaining to make it a four-goal contest.
Handzus and Thornton scored in the third period to account for the final margin.
Game Notes
San Jose has won four straight in the series...Niemi recorded the 17th shutout of his career...The Blue Jackets are 4-14-2 in their last 20 games...Columbus has lost six straight as the guest and is 5-18-3 on the road...The Sharks went 1-for-3 on the power play...There was a combined 19 penalties in the game.
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