Fleury’s 36 saves help Wild defeat Sharks

SAN JOSE — Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves to help the Minnesota Wild defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 at SAP Center on Saturday.

Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stops a shot as Nico Sturm (7) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild (27-12-4), who have won five of the past six. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists.

William Eklund scored for the Sharks (13-26-6), who have lost three in a row and 11 of the past 13. Yaroslav Askarov made 19 saves.

Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov stops a shot attempt by Jake Middleton (5) as Jake Walman (96) provides support – Photo by Jack Lima

Rossi gave the Wild a 1-0 lead at 5:51 of the first period. Zuccarello floated a pass to Rossi, who got behind the defense and went backhand with a shot over Askarov’s blocker.

Boldy extended the Wild lead to 2-0 at 4:34 of the second period after he took a pass from Zuccarello, walked in on the right side, and scored with a snap-shot over the glove of Askarov from the top of the right circle.

Wild forward Matt Boldy takes a shot on net which results in the Wild’s second goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Eklund cut the lead to 2-1 at 17:30 after Macklin Celebrini’s shot from the bottom of the right circle created a rebound in front which Eklund backhanded past Fleury.

Zuccarello added an empty-net goal at 18:43 of the third period for the 3-1 final. Celebrini turned the puck over at the blue line, and Zuccarello scored after Askarov started going to the bench.

Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov reaches for a shot – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov blocks a shot that deflects off his glove – Photo by Jack Lima

Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek, center, loose his balance as he attempts to move past Sharks defenseman Jan Rutta (84) – Photo by Jack Lima

Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian moves the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli (73) attempts to establish position between goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Travis Dermott (44) – Photo by Jack Lima

Sharks forward Collin Graf (51) skates the puck up ice as Matt Boldy (12) defends – Photo by Jack Lima

Wild defenseman Jake Middleton (5) checks Sharks forward Nico Sturm (7) into the boards – Photo by Jack Lima

Minnesota’s Yakov Trenin (13) fires off a pass as he’s checked by Mario Ferraro (38) – Photo by Jack Lima

Fabian Zetterlund (20) attempts to control the puck in front of Wild Defenseman Declan Chisholm (47) – Photo by Jack Lima