SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Pavelski scored a minute into the game to start a three-goal first period spree and Antti Niemi earned his second shutout of the season to help the San Jose Sharks sweep a home-and-home against first-place Anaheim by beating the Ducks 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns also scored in the opening 10 minutes and Niemi made 22 saves for the Sharks, who have back-to-back regulation wins for the first time in two months.
Tommy Wingels added a short-handed goal and two assists to get San Jose off to a strong start to a crucial seven-game homestand. The Sharks moved into a tie for seventh place with St. Louis in the Western Conference.
The Ducks followed up a 5-3 home loss to the Sharks by coming out completely flat in the return game. Anaheim has lost four straight games in regulation following a 12-game streak with at least one point. This is the Ducks' longest skid since Bruce Boudreau took over as coach Nov. 30, 2011.
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