Reimer, Sharks shutout Flyers, 3-0

PHILADELPHIA – James Reimer made 31 saves and the San Jose Sharks shutout the Flyers, 3-0, on Sunday.

Joel Farabee #86 of the Philadelphia Flyers slide into Goalie James Reimer #47 of the San Jose Sharks as the puck misses the net.

“Obviously, we haven’t had the greatest start to our year,” Reimer said. “We wanted to finish this road trip off and be .500 on the trip (2-2-0), and we completed that. I thought we played maybe our best game of the year here tonight.”

After a scoreless first period, Erik Karlsson and Steven Lorentz scored to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead.

“He’s (Karlsson) a great player,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “You see some of the things he does, it’s no mystery why he’s won a Norris Trophy (as the NHL’s best defenseman in 2012 and 2015). Obviously, he drives our offense every time he’s out there.”

The Flyers were coming off a win on Saturday over the Nashville Predators.

“We have to learn how to play back-to-back games,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “We’ve played two sets of back-to-backs and our second game, we absolutely don’t give ourselves a chance because of turnovers.”

Nico Sturm scored in the third period for the 3-0 final.

“He’s (Reimer) got a great perspective,” Quinn said. “He’s been around a long time, he gives us leadership. When you get that from your goalie, it’s a special bonus. And he’s an impactful guy in the locker room. Obviously, you see what he did tonight, made some big saves there in the third period. They were pushing, and obviously we’re still a little bit fragile. I think it’s human nature, you’re up 2-0, you tend to back off a little bit. But like I said before the game, all we want to do is find a way to win a hockey game.”

Philadelphia’s James van Riemsdyk left the game in the third period after blocking a shot.

“I don’t think it’s a physical tiredness, I think it’s maybe a little groggy mentally,” Tortorella said. “But if you’re a pro, you have to figure out how to simplify your game. We have to learn how to play back-to-backs. I think we have 16 of them this year. We’re 0-for-2 as far as at least giving ourselves a chance.”

Felix Sandstrom made 22 saves in the Flyers loss.

Steven Lorentz #16 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by his teammate for his goal in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates a goal by teammate Erik Karlsson #65

Nick Seeler #24 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie Felix Sandstrom #32 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks
Justin Braun #61 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Nico Sturm #7 of the San Jose Sharks

Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks

Nico Sturm #7 of the San Jose Sharks attempt to screen Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Felix Sandstrom #32 as his teammate Yegor Zamula #54 helps defend the net.