Lots of shots, but Sharks kept at bay
Khudobin makes 31 saves as Ducks win fourth in a row. Perry makes the only goal.
DUCKS 1, SAN JOSE 0
SAN JOSE — Corey Perry scored on a breakaway early in the first period, Anton Khudobin made 31 saves and the Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks, 1-0, on Saturday night for their fourth straight win.
Khudobin got his fifth career shutout and his first one since late February. The Ducks have rebounded nicely after a 1-7-2 start.
Martin Jones made 16 saves and the Sharks lost to the Ducks for just the second time in their last seven meetings.
San Jose center Tommy Wingels thought he tied it midway through the second period after he grabbed Hampus Lindholm’s turnover and fired a shot that hit Khudobin’s stick and clanked off the corner of the crossbar.
It was originally ruled a goal, but replays showed the puck did not cross the line. A review reversed the call.
The second period had 44 minutes in penalties, including fighting majors and game misconducts to Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon and Ducks forward Chris Wagner at the 16:38 mark.
The Ducks’ crisp possession play and forecheck limited the Sharks’ opportunities and Khudobin played magician against a handful of one-on-one confrontations, including Patrick Marleau’s point-blank shot midway through the third period.
The Sharks won their first four games of the season but are 3-7 since.
The Ducks won their first road game in regulation after starting 0-5-1 away from Anaheim.
Perry scored after the Ducks recovered a turnover and Ryan Getzlaf led him with a pass that left him oneon-one with Jones. He beat the goalie to the stick side.
The Sharks were 0 for 4 on the power play, with two tries in the final five minutes. They have yet to convert any of 19 such opportunities at home.
The Sharks haven’t gotten much of a boost from their special teams lately. The Sharks’ power play came into Saturday ranked 23rd in the NHL at 13.2% (five for 38) and the penalty kill is 27th at 75% (33 of 44). When the Sharks beat the Ducks 2-0 on Oct. 10, both teams went 0 for 1 with the man advantage.
The Sharks were catching an Anaheim team that is starting to get its act together. After a shaky start that prompted rumors about Coach Bruce Boudreau’s job security, the Ducks came into Saturday riding a winning streak.
Getzlaf returned Friday to face the Columbus Blue Jackets after he missed four games following an appendectomy and had three assists in the Ducks’ 4-2 win. He, Perry and Patrick Maroon combined for one goal and six assists.