Sharks take sole possession of 1st place in Pacific with 3-2 victory over Ducks

San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi, right, is beaten for a goal on a shot by Anaheim Ducks' Mathieu Perreault, not pictured, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 20, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Anaheim Ducks' Tim Jackman, left, crashes against the boards next to San Jose Sharks' Justin Braun during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 20, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Brent Burns scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:59 to play to help the San Jose Sharks take sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division for the first time in more than three months by beating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Thursday night.

Joe Thornton tied the game earlier in the third and got his second assist on the game-winner for the Sharks, who have won seven of eight to move two points ahead of Anaheim although the Ducks have a game in hand. The Sharks, who trailed by 13 points after games on Jan. 15, have not been alone in first since Dec. 6.

Patrick Marleau also scored and Antti Niemi made 26 saves for San Jose.

Teemu Selanne and Mathieu Perreault scored for the Ducks, who have lost six of their last eight. Frederik Andersen made 25 saves.