ANAHEIM, Calif. – San Jose’s Evander Kane earned a pair of goals to help give the Sharks the first win of the series over the Anaheim Ducks for the Western Conference first round playoffs with a final score of 3-0. Anaheim with home advantage, really seemed to struggle to keep San Jose out of scoring position for most of the game.
Evander Kane – File Photo by Jack Lima
It would be nearly five minutes before either team could get a shot on goal. After that though, the Sharks would dominate most of the game, out-shooting the Ducks 8-4 in the first period. San Jose’s Tomas Hertl had a great chance to open the scoring on a Sharks power play with just over five minutes remaining, when John Gibson made a great save. Ultimately, neither team could score during the first period.
San Jose took a three-goal lead in the second period, with a pair of goals from Evander Kane, acquired on a trade with the Sabre’s in mid-February. This was his first post-season opportunity in 574 professional games. Kane’s first goal came just over seven minutes into the game, just after the puck dropped on a 5-on-3 power play chance, when two defensemen went behind the net, Joe Pavelski sent the puck to a waiting Kane in the slot to drop the puck past Gibson. The second goal with just under 14 minutes gone in the period, came when Pavelski raced towards the net with Kane in a two on one breakaway. Pavelski passed the puck to Kane from across the crease, who slipped it past Gibson just before crashing the net himself for the goal.
With just under five minutes remaining, Brent Burns finished a shot that came off the stick of Timo Meier, from near the blue line past Gibson five-hole to put the Sharks up by three goals. The Sharks outshot the Ducks, again in the second period 17-9, with Jones stopping everything the Ducks could throw at him.
Brent Burns – File photo by Jack Lima
The Ducks returned from the break and appeared to be trying some other line pairings to try to earn some time with the puck. But really didn’t have much to offer, despite a late power play opportunity.
Jones earned the shutout in game one, with 25 saves for the night. Gibson gets the loss turning away 31 shots for the night.
Martin Jones – File Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks Center Joe Thornton took some ice time in the pre-game skate but did not play in the game. He’s been out with a knee injury since January. The Sharks have indicated he might be ready to play if the Sharks go deeper into the playoffs.
The next game will be Saturday night in Anaheim.
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