Edmonton, AB – The San Jose Sharks scored six goals in the first period and continued their road success against the Edmonton Oilers with a 6-3 victory Tuesday night.
Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture each registered two goals and an assist in the Sharks' opening-frame barrage. Antti Niemi made 26 saves for San Jose, which set a franchise record for most goals scored in one period on the road.
The Sharks improved to 9-1-2 in their last 12 games at Rexall Place.
Nail Yakupov, the 2012 No. 1 overall pick, and fellow rookie Justin Schultz each scored their first NHL goals for the Oilers.
Devan Dubnyk was pulled in favor of Yann Danis after he was beaten six times on 17 shots through the opening 20 minutes. Danis recorded 14 saves over the final two periods.
"Sometimes it's better to lose like this than lose by a goal. We certainly see what we need to improve," said Edmonton coach Ralph Krueger.
It got ugly fast for the Oilers, who made two early trips to the penalty box.
San Jose scored on both power plays, first Dan Boyle at 3:17 and then Couture at 4:30.
"We came out flying. Our power play was great," Boyle said.
Yakupov electrified the home crowd with a power-play goal of his own at 8:25, but Marleau lit the lamp twice in a span of 65 seconds. His second tally came on a man-advantage at 11:07.
Couture made it 5-1 with 1:51 remaining and Marc-Edouard Vlasic ripped a shot from the blue line past Dubnyk inside the final minute.
It was definitely not the home opener the Oilers envisioned.
"We apologize to (the fans) for the overall score," Krueger said.
Schultz scored a power-play goal in the second period, while Taylor Hall supplied the lone goal in the third.
Game Notes
Sharks captain Joe Thornton had three assists ... All four meetings between San Jose and Edmonton during the 2011-12 season were all decided by one goal.
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