SAN JOSE — Nick Bonino scored for the fourth straight game, and the San Jose Sharks held off the Arizona Coyotes in a 3-2 win at SAP Center on Tuesday.
“I think we’ve deserved more than we’ve had this year,” Bonino said. “[Arizona] hung on a little bit at the end and they kept coming and coming, but it’s nice to get the win and it’s nice to contribute.”
Sharks’ goalie James Reimer makes a blocker save as Barrett Hayton (29) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Bonino, who also had an assist, extended the Sharks’ lead 2-0 at 4:52 of the first period when he scored on a rebound of Erik Karlsson‘s shot. His four-game goal streak is an NHL career high.
He did not have a goal in his first 24 games this season.
“I’m really happy for him, he’s such a pro,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “I’m just really happy for him. He’s playing really good hockey, and it’s nice to see him get rewarded statistically.”
Scott Harrington had two assists, and James Reimer made 20 saves for the Sharks (10-16-5) in his return from a lower-body injury. It was first start since Nov. 25.
Sharks’ defenseman Radim Simek (51) falls as he tries to break up a pass to Lawson Crouse (67) – Photo by Jack Lima
“Obviously when you haven’t played in a while, sometimes the game feels fast,” Reimer said. “Sometimes you’re trying to break in a bit, but I felt pretty good.”
Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad scored, and Karel Vejmelka made 30 saves for the Coyotes (9-14-4).
“I think the first two periods, we needed to grind the game tonight,” Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. “We needed to sprint for it. We needed to win more battles, [but] we didn’t. So, give a lot of credit to the Sharks; they played hard. They’re creating more offense lately.”
Tomas Hertl gave San Jose a 1-0 lead at 3:50 of the first when he redirected Radim Simek‘s shot from the point.
Crouse cut it to 2-1 at 18:05 during a 5-on-3 power play after a pass from Clayton Keller. It was Crouse’s third goal in three games.
Radim Simek (51) checks Nick Richie (12) – Photo by Jack Lima
Nico Sturm made it 3-1 at 8:09 of the second period when he scored on a rebound of Harrington’s attempt.
“I thought we did a really good job of building off what we did in Anaheim [last week],” Quinn said. “We’ve touched on the fact that puck management and our turnovers have really cost us, and I thought over the last two games we’ve really done a much better job [of] managing the game and making it harder on our opponent.”
Bjugstad scored at 2:56 of the third period for the 3-2 final.
“I thought we were a little lackadaisical as an entire unit; it’s tough when you start off like that,” Bjugstad said. “That third period, we made a push, [but it was too] little, too late. But if we can find ways to have better starts and keep rolling with it, it makes it easier on [Vejmelka]. He’s kept us in it for a lot of these games. We definitely have to clean up those starts.”
NOTES: The Coyotes went 1-for-5 on the power play. … Sharks forward Alexander Barabanov missed the game because of a lower-body injury. … San Jose forward Luke Kunin left in the first with a lower-body injury. Quinn did not have an update.
Photos by Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates his first period goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Nick Bonino takes a break during a stoppage of play – Photo by Jack Lima
Oskar Lindblom (23) tries to bat down a clearing pass in front of Barrett Hayton – Photo by Jack Lima
Kevin Labanc (62) looks for a pass in front of goalie Karel Vejmelka during a Sharks second period power play – Photo by Jack Lima
Jack McBain (Right) loses his balance as he tries to check Scott Harrington (4) – Photo by Jack Lima
Jack McBain (22) collides with Sharks goalie James Reimer – Photo by Jack Lima
Goalie James Reimer leads the Sharks on to the ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Coyotes’ goalie Karel Vejmelka – Photo by Jack Lima
Coyotes’ defenseman Patrik Nemeth (2) pins Noah Gregor (73) against the boards – Photo by Jack Lima
Christian Fischer (Right) tries to screen Sharks goalie James Reimer – Photo by Jack Lima
Barrett Hayton (29) looks to make a pass as Matt Benning (5) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Barrett Hayton (29) and Juuso Valimaki (4) look to clear the puck away from goalie Karel Vejmelka – Photo by Jack Lima
(L-R) Patrick Nemeth – Nico Sturm – Barrett Fischer and Oskar Lindblom fight for puck possession – Photo by Jack Lima
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