Couture has assist in season debut, Sharks defeat Ducks

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Logan Couture had an assist in his season debut for the San Jose Sharks in a 5-3 victory against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center on Saturday.

Sharks forward Tomas Hertl (48) looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima

Couture missed the first 45 games of the season with a lower-body injury. The San Jose captain had 67 points (27 goals, 40 assists) in playing all 82 games last season.

Sharks forward Fabian Zetterlund stick handles with the puck – Photo by Jack Lima

Fabian Zetterlund and Tomas Hertl each had a goal and an assist, and Kyle Burroughs and Jan Rutta each scored his first goal of the season for the Sharks (11-31-4), who had lost three straight. Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves.

Kyle Burroughs (4) and Radko Gudas (7) exchange works as linesmen Joe Mahon (89) and Travis Toomey (90) attempt to separate them – Photo by Jack Lima

Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist, and Troy Terry had two assists for the Ducks (15-29-1) who have lost two straight and four of their last five. John Gibson made 14 saves.

Filip Zadina appeared to put the Sharks ahead at 17:08 of the first period, but the goal was overturned after the Ducks successfully challenged for offside.

Sharks forward Fabian Zetterlund (20) reaches for the puck as Mason McTavish attempt to check him along the boards – Photo by Jack Lima

Marc-Edouard Vlasic put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 15:06 of the second period when Couture set the defenseman up for a tip-in.

Sharks center Nico Sturm (7) chases then puck behind the Sharks goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Jackson LaCombe tied it 1-1 just 15 seconds later at 15:21. Blackwood was initially credited with a save, but video review determined the puck had crossed the line.

Burroughs put the Sharks back ahead 2-1 at 17:33 when Hertl set him up for a wrist shot in front of the net.

Sharks captain Logan Couture made his season debut after returning from an injury – Photo by Jack Lima

Zetterlund increased the lead to 3-1 at 19:32 before Adam Henrique made it 3-2 just 24 seconds later at 19:56 when Troy Terry set him up from behind the net.

The Ducks outshot the Sharks 20-7 through two periods.

Jan Rutta (84) celebrates his third period goal with teammates Henry Thrun (center) and Tomas Hertl (48) – Photo by Jack Lima

Rutta made it 4-2 at 12:15 of the third period with a wrist shot through traffic. It was his first goal since being traded to the Sharks from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug. 6 as part of the Erik Karlsson deal.

Mason McTavish made it 4-3 at 15:11 when he scored on the power play.

Hertl scored into an empty net at 19:53 for the 5-3 final.