Pavelski Scores Twice, Sharks Close Out Season Strong in Phoenix

It was a game that held little significance to either team, but the San Jose Sharks were able to close out the season strong with a 3-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on the road on Saturday night. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

It was a game that held little significance to either team, but the San Jose Sharks were able to close out the season strong with a 3-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on the road on Saturday night.

Joe Pavelski netted two goals, his 40th and 41st of the season, reaching the 40-goal plateau for the first time in his career. Both of his goals came in the first period as the Sharks jumped out to a 2-0 lead early. Pavelski’s first goal came on the power play less than four minutes into the game, taking a feed from Brent Burns on the rush and wristing it past Coyotes goalie Mark Visentin. Then, midway through the period, Pavelski found the back of the net again on a wicked, one-time slapshot from the left wing.

Both teams had 32 shots on net in a pretty evenly played game. Mike Ribeiro got the Coyotes on the board in the second period, and Shane Doan scored in the third, just 31 seconds after Logan Couture put home a nifty between-the-legs deflection that briefly put the Sharks ahead 3-1.

Antti Niemi made 30 saves and was solid in this tune-up game for the postseason.

Tale of the Tape

Sharks:

• Shots on goal: 32
• Power play: 1-for-3
• Hits: 23
• Giveaways: 3
• Takeaways: 6
• Faceoffs won: 29

Coyotes:

• Shots on goal: 32
• Power play: 0-for-2
• Hits: 24
• Giveaways: 4
• Takeaways: 5
• Faceoffs won: 30

Good to Know

What’s on Tap

It’s playoff time…the schedule has not yet been released, but the Sharks will be gearing up to face the Kings in the first round.