Boedker, Sharks continue to roll with payback win over Dallas
The win ger’ s two goals help team at one for earlier 6-0 embarrassment
SAN JOSE >> It’s been almost four weeks since everyone at SAP Center watched Joe Thornton limp to the dressing room after an on-ice collision caused his right knee to bend in an unconventional manner.
It would have been easy then to begin to write off the Sharks, thinking it would be too tough a task for them to stay relevant with their emotional leader sidelined with yet another serious injury.
It hasn’t happened yet. In fact, if Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars was any indication, the Sharks are even figuring out ways to thrive without one of the franchise’s cornerstone players.
Mikkel Boedker scored twice and goalie Martin Jones made 26 saves as the Sharks won for the
fourth time in five games and bolstered their tenuous grip on second place in the Pacific Division.
Joe Pavelski, Melker Karlsson and Justin Braun also scored for the Sharks, with Pavelski’s goal — his 15th of the season — coming 27 seconds into the first period.
After stumbling at first, the Sharks are now 6-5-1 since Thornton was hurt Jan. 23. In that time, 10 Sharks players have at least five points, with Pavelski and Brent Burns leading the way with 11 points each.
“I think my game’s gotten better,” Pavelski said. “(Thornton and I) been together for so long, I really didn’t have to think in certain situations where to put the puck or how to go get it or where he was coming. It’s kind of a time thing, in a lot of ways.”
Pavelski’s not the only one feeling good of late.
Boedker has four goals in three games, continuing a stretch that has been the most productive of his Sharks’ career.
His 11 goals in 51 games is one more than he had all of last season, his first in San Jose after he signed with the team in the summer of 2016.
Since he was scratched for a Jan. 7 game in Winnipeg, Boedker has a teamhigh eight goals. Pavelski and Logan Couture have seven each and Timo Meier has six. Boedker had just 36 shots on goal in his first 32 games this season. In the last 19 games, he has 48.
“I don’t know, maybe the mindset of being more aggressive, a little more direct,” Boedker said. “I think it’s paying off.”
A day after he had to leave practice with what was described as general soreness, Burns did not play for the final 16:35 of the third period. Both Pavelski and Braun said they were not concerned about Burns missing any time, and Burns was seen leaving the Sharks’ dressing room with no noticeable malady.
“He’ll be fine. He’s just dealing with something, but he’ll be fine,” Braun said. “He’s that way. He won’t miss a game.”
On Dec. 31, the Sharks were handed their worst loss of the season by Dallas — 6-0. Jones was pulled after two periods, allowing four goals on 22 shots.
Sunday, the Sharks chased Stars starter Ben Bishop at the 17:23 mark of the first period when Boedker took a pass from Chris Tierney and one-timed it from the slot for a 4-0 lead.
“We were actually moving this game,” Braun said. “In Dallas, everyone left their legs somewhere. It was good. Everyone was coming above on the backcheck and shutting down their speed.”
The Sharks now have 72 points, three points up on the third place Anaheim Ducks. They start a fourgame road trip Tuesday in St. Louis.
“It was a huge game. Because of the (Dec. 31) game, but more importantly because where we are in the standings and what’s ahead here on our schedule,” DeBoer said. “It was a critical two points and our guys played one of our better games of the year.”
The Sharks also held the Stars’ top line Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov largely in check, as the trio did not have any points Sunday after they had combined for 157 points this season prior.
• Injured forward Tomas Hertl missed his second straight game after he was hurt Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Hertl practiced Saturday but remains day-to-day with what is believed to be a hand injury. Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said Hertl will be on the upcoming trip that also includes games at Nashville, Chicago and Minnesota.