Sharks take 2-0 edge back home

ANAHEIM, Calif. The Anaheim Ducks showed their embarrassment from their playoff-opening shutout loss with every bonecrunching hit they landed on the San Jose Sharks throughout Game 2.

The Sharks knew what to expect from their hard-nosed California rivals. Even after the Ducks scored in the opening minute, San Jose survived the storm quite well — and when Anaheim made minor mistakes, the Sharks capitalized for enough goals to take a major series lead back to San Jose.

Logan Couture had a goal and an assist, Martin Jones made 28 saves and the Sharks thrived on the road again, beating the Ducks 3-2 Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Marcus Sorensen and Tomas Hertl also scored for the Sharks, who gave another disciplined, organized performance while moving halfway to their first playoff series victory since their Stanley Cup Final run in 2016.

“Nothing we haven’t taken before,” Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said of the Ducks’ physical style. “Maybe they are coming a little bit harder. Be poised. Make some plays. Stick to what we are trying to do.”

They’re not leaving Orange County without bruises, however: The Ducks attempted to make up for their listlessness in Game 1 with a series of big hits early in the rematch. Nick Ritchie, Hampus Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin all delivered early on, with Lindholm sending Game 1 hero Evander Kane to the bench with a mouth injury from an open-ice shoulder check.