Red-hot Sharks welcome Sens to San Jose
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(SportsNetwork.com) - The San Jose Sharks aim to stretch their season-opening win streak to five straight games on Saturday night as they receive a visit from the Ottawa Senators.
The Sharks, who began last season a club-record 7-0, have outscored opponents 21-5 on the season, winning three straight at home prior to Thursday's 4-1 road win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Two nights after rookie Tomas Hertl stole the show with four goals in a win over the New York Rangers, the Sharks got balanced scoring to best the Canucks. Brent Burns had a goal and an assist, while Matt Pelech, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Patrick Marleau added scores.
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Logan Couture and Joe Thornton had two assists each, though Hertl was held without a point. Antti Niemi made 25 saves.
"There weren't any freebies. A good one for us to play in," San Jose head coach Todd McClellan said.
The Senators are 1-0-2 on their season-opening, six-game road trip. They opened the season with a victory over Buffalo, then lost a shootout to Toronto four days ahead of Wednesday's 4-3 overtime setback to Los Angeles.
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Bobby Ryan's first goal with Ottawa helped his club rally back from a 3-0 deficit following the first period, while Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Milan Michalek added goals.
However, Jeff Carter put home the game-winner 28 seconds into overtime past Craig Anderson for the Kings.
"I think it's great anytime you go on the road and get a point," Sens head coach Paul MacLean said. "I think we should be pretty pleased with what we're doing."
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Anderson made 28 saves in the setback, which came without Jason Spezza. He was held out with a strained groin despite participating in morning skate, but could return tonight.
The Sens snapped a five-game slide to the Sharks with a 4-1 victory in San Jose in the most recent meeting on Jan. 19, 2012. Anderson made 36 saves, while Niemi allowed four goals on 21 shots faced.
Anderson is still just 3-6-0 with a 3.15 goals against average and .913 save percentage in nine career meetings with San Jose, while Niemi is 1-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .918 save percentage in two versus Ottawa.