San Jose Sharks Snap Streak With 3-1 Win Over Montreal
The San Jose Sharks did it, finally picking up a victory during the month of December as they began their road trip in Montreal against the division-leading Canadiens. San Jose snapped their season-high six-game losing streak with a 3-1 win as the Sharks played one of their most complete games of the season.
It’s an understatement to say this was a big two points for San Jose as they embark on a five-game road trip before the holiday break. The Sharks received a huge effort between the pipes from Martin Jones, who made 26 saves on the night, establishing a new career high in the process with his 13th victory of the year.
Jones was able to pick up plenty of help from his defense in front of him as San Jose blocked 28 shots on the night, led by Marc-Edouard Vlasic with five. Vlasic led all Sharks players in ice time at 23:59, and his defense partner Justin Braun played one of his best games of the year, logging 23:52 of ice time to go along with two assists.
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San Jose was able to strike first after going six straight games allowing the first goal of the game as Patrick Marleau was able to convert a perfect pass from Joel Ward on a two-on-one for his 12th goal of the year. It was a big goal for the Sharks to help them settle into the game as the Canadiens came after San Jose, outshooting them 10-3 in the first.
After weathering the storm, the Sharks seized control of the game in the second as Joe Pavelski would double San Jose’s lead just 36 seconds into the middle frame as he tipped home Braun’s shot from the point for his 14th goal of the season.
The lead would grow to three midway through the second as a picture perfect forecheck for Joe Thornton led to Pavelski finding Dainius Zubrus alone in front where he backhanded home his first goal in teal, and chasing Montreal starting netminder Dustin Tokarski from the game.
While Montreal would pull one back late in the period as Dale Weise’s shot deflected in off Vlasic’s skate past Jones, the Sharks defense would hold firm throughout the rest of the game, enabling San Jose to emerge with the two points.
Next: Sharks Find Themselves In Familiar Spot
San Jose needed this victory in a big way as the Sharks vaulted all the way from fifth to second in the Pacific Division standings. The next two games will be big for San Jose as they have an opportunity to build some momentum with two winnable games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. This can’t be a one-off effort for the Sharks as this is the way they need to play.
It was step one in the right direction for San Jose as the streak is over, but now the real work begins as the Sharks try a build a winning streak moving forward.