Coyotes 1, Sharks 0 (SO)
SAN JOSE -- Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata scored in the shootout and Mike Smith was perfect as the Phoenix Coyotes beat the San Jose Sharks 1-0 on Saturday at HP Pavilion.
San Jose managed three shots in sudden death while Phoenix, awarded a power play at 4:39 when Brent Burns slashed Vrbata, put two on goal.
The Sharks doubled their shot output over the first 40 minutes by putting 15 on net in the third. Phoenix managed only three shots on goal in the period.
A tight-checking second period featured no goals and the two teams combining for only 13 shots on goal.
The Sharks extended a streak to 33 straight penalty kills by stopping Phoenix on two middle-period advantages. And the Sharks did not manage a shot on their first power play or during the first 46 seconds of a late advantage that carried over to the third period.
A scoreless and penalty-free first period featured nine shots on goal from each team. The Sharks put on a push late in the period, working in close and trying to set screens in front of the 6-foot-4 Smith.
San Jose's Michal Handzus had the period's best opportunity when he deked alone in front only to have his shot smothered at the near post by Smith at 15:50. San Jose started slow, collecting only its second shot on goal at 9:47.
Niemi's key save in the opening 20 minutes came at 5:58 when he gloved a high Raffi Torres slap shot from the left circle.
Burns made his season debut after having missed the first 10 games and training camp while recovering from offseason hernia surgery. Burns paired with Brad Stuart.
NOTES: Phoenix's Dave Tippett coached his 750th NHL game Saturday. Tippett's 410 wins since 2002-03 are second most in the league to Mike Babcock's 424 with Detroit and Anaheim. ... Defenseman Brent Burns made his season debut. He missed training camp and the team's first 10 games following offseason hernia surgery. Rookie defenseman Matt Irwin was assigned to Worcester of the AHL to open a roster spot for Burns. ... Phoenix left wing Paul Bissonette and defenseman Chris Summers were healthy scratches while defenseman Douglas Murray, Nick Petrecki and forward Andrew Desjardins did not dress for San Jose. ... The Sharks start a six-game, 13-day trip on Tuesday. It is their longest trip of the season.
