The Sharks outlasted the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of the first round, and left Southern California with a 2-0 series lead after a 3-2 win on Saturday night.
Anaheim opened the scoring on the game's first shot. 40 seconds in, Jakub Silfverberg entered the San Jose zone and floated a shot past goaltender Martin Jones for the game's opening goal.
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The Sharks settled into the game afterward, out-attempting the Ducks 10-6 at five-on-five over the next nine minutes. On their 11th shot attempt, Marcus Sorensen buried a rebound off of the boards into a yawning cage, tying the game at one.
Exactly five minutes later, San Jose took the lead on the power play, when Logan Couture finished Kevin Labanc's lead pass with a backhand move in close. 71 seconds into the second period, Anaheim goaltender John Gibson was beat by another backhand shot, this time from the stick of Tomas Hertl after the Czech forward dangled through the Ducks defense and gave the Sharks a 3-1 lead.
The two-goal margin became one-goal margin about seven minutes later, when Hampus Lindholm wristed Anaheim's first power play goal of the series past Jones. Jones shut the door for the remainder of the game, including on a Ducks power play in the third period.
Corey Perry blindsided Melker Karlsson with 3:43 remaining in regulation while the Karlsson was on the far edge of a puck battle, giving the Sharks a late power play. San Jose couldn't convert, but wound the clock down and withstood a late Anaheim push with Gibson pulled to win a second game at the Honda Center in three nights.
San Jose Sharks
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Marcus Sorensen was part of a dominant fourth line. He scored San Jose's first goal, drew a penalty, and finished the night with a team-best 78.57 percent corsi-for percentage.
His line had the puck in their possession all night, and Sorensen was on the ice for just three shot attempts against.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sharks: 1-for-3 on the power play; 1-for-2 on the penalty kill
Ducks: 1-for-2 on the power play; 2-for-3 on the penalty kill
For the ninth time in 11 games since the start of the 2016-17 season, San Jose had more power play opportunities than Anaheim. In all, the Sharks have had 14 more power play opportunities than the Ducks during that time.
IN GOAL
Sharks: Martin Jones added to his playoff resume with yet another impressive performance. He stopped 28 of 30 shots he faced, including all 11 in the third period.
John Gibson was one of the league's best goalies during the regular season, but Jones outplayed him for the second straight night.
Ducks: Gibson allowed three goals for the second straight game, making 32 saves. He has now given up three or more in five of his last seven starts.
TURNING POINT
Couture's goal gave the Sharks a lead they would not relinquish, but Hertl's eventual game-winner gave them breathing room. They played the Ducks about even after Lindholm cut the lead to one, aside from the frantic finish, and two goals proved to be too much for Anaheim to overcome.
INJURY UPDATE
Sharks: San Jose made no lineup changes from Game 1, but Joe Thornton (right MCL) participated in pregame warm-ups for the second straight game. He did not take part in line rushes.
Ducks: Kevin Bieksa (left hand) returned to the lineup for his first game since March 12.
WHAT'S NEXT
The series shifts to San Jose for Game 3 at SAP Center on Monday night. Pregame Live begins on NBC Sports California at 7 p.m, with game coverage beginning at 7:30.