By Sara Biela — Content Editor
Evander Kane and Joe Pavelski combined for 5 points, while Martin Jones recorded 29 saves as the San Jose Sharks extinguished the Calgary Flames 3-1 Sunday night.
Coming into the contest, the Sharks (9-6-3) had the lowest save percentage in the league and was able to flip the script against the Flames (10-7-1).
“It’s a huge win,” head coach Peter DeBoer told The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz in a postgame interview. “This league is about limiting your losing streaks, and extending your winning streaks. We wanted to make sure we nipped that in the bud tonight.”
Kane quickly gave the Sharks the 1-0 lead 50 seconds into the first period.
Pavelski made a slick behind-the-back pass, which resulted in Kane’s laser shot past Mike Smith. This was Kane’s 7th goal in 15 career games against Smith.
“It was good to get off to a good start and get the early lead,” Kane told The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz in a postgame interview.
San Jose struck again at 1:28 in the second period as Joonas Donskoi cashed in his fourth goal of the season.
As Kane held the puck behind the Calgary net, he fed it to Donskoi, who was waiting right in front of Smith. Pavelski also recorded his second assist of the night.
“We feel comfortable together,” Pavelski said of Kane and Donskoi in postgame interview. “When [Donskoi] going good like he is, it pulls Kane and I along. We had good momentum early.”
Later in the period, the Flames (10-7-1) cut the deficit to 2-1 when Sean Monahan scored his ninth goal on the year at 6:02.
Erik Karlsson slipped at center ice and allowed Monahan to execute short-side against Jones on the loose puck.
Calgary’s next best scoring opportunity of the night came in the third period.
Slashed by Brendan Dillon on a breakaway chance, Sam Bennett was awarded with a penalty shot. Jones made the right-pad save with 7:38 left in the game.
“I know that’s a move a lot of guys like to do, come off that side and shoot off the stick” Jones told The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz in a postgame interview. “Just tried to stay patience in case he pulled it across.”
The Flames pulled Smith with less than two minutes left, but Pavelski put the dagger in the game as he scored the empty-netter and made it 3-1.
“It’s something small, but it ends it and ices the game right there,” Pavelski told The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz in a postgame interview. “It saves a little stress for sure.”
Both goalies had a great night in front of the net as they combined for 57 saves.
Tomas Hertl returned to the ice for the first time since Nov. 3 and registered an assist on Pavelski’s goal.
The Sharks will continue their two-week long home stand with the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
Follow Sara on Twitter @sarabielaa