Sharks’ attack ruffles some feathers with thrashing of Ducks
Four goals in second period for San Jose, who take 3-0 series lead
Joonas Donskoi scored one goal and set up another to start a four-goal barrage in the second period and the San Jose Sharks raced past Anaheim for the third straight game, beating the Ducks 8-1 on Monday night for a 3-0 series lead.
The Sharks used their superior speed to create odd-man rushes that paid off when Donskoi scored and then set up Marcus Sorensen in the opening minutes of the second period to seize control of the game and series.
Eric Fehr and Tomas Hertl added goals later in the second to turn this all-California series into a rout. Logan Couture had a goal and two assists, Joe Pavelski, Evander Kane and Timo Meier scored power-play goals in the third period for the Sharks, who have outscored the Ducks 14-3 through the first three games of the first-round series.
Martin Jones made 45 saves, the most for a Sharks goalie in a regulation playoff game.
San Jose will look to complete the sweep in Game 4 at home tonight. Only four NHL teams have lost a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games with the Sharks the last to do it in 2014 in the first round against Los Angeles.
Rickard Rakell scored a power-play goal, but the Ducks once again looked a step slow against the speedier Sharks. Anaheim have scored three goals all series, including just one at even strength.
John Gibson allowed five goals on 24 shots being pulled after two periods. The game turned early in the second after Brandon Montour fell near centre ice, giving the Sharks a two on one. Donskoi converted on a giveand-go with Evander Kane and San Jose was off to the races.