Sharks 1, Red Wings 0 (SO)
DETROIT -- Logan Couture scored in a shootout to give the San Jose Sharks a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Monday night.
The Sharks (8-0-1) are the NHL's last undefeated team in regulation.
Each goalie was credited with a shutout for not allowing a goal in 65 minutes. Antti Niemi, who earned his 24th career shutout, made 24 saves for San Jose. Jimmy Howard, who recorded his 17th shutout, stopped 27 shots for Detroit (6-3-1).
Niemi blanked Detroit for the third time in his career.
All three Detroit skaters -- Pavel Datsyuk, Daniel Alfredsson and Todd Bertuzzi -- were unsuccessful in the shootout. San Jose's Patrick Marleau had his attempt stopped by Howard.
Detroit's Brendan Smith hit the outside of the goal post with 4:57 remaining in regulation.
The teams put on a defensive clinic, which meant there were few chances.
Tampa Bay general manager, Team Canada Olympic GM and Red Wings Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman watched the game from the press box. He was likely impressed by the defensive play of anyone he is considering for the Canadian team. He and Detroit coach Mike Babcock, who is Team Canada's coach, and Red Wings GM Ken Holland -- also on the Team Canada management team -- certainly compared notes after the game.
The tight-checking contest opened up a bit during the middle of the second period with more room and chances for both teams. However, neither team could capitalize, as San Jose held Detroit to 11 shots over the first two periods.
Niemi made a big save on Daniel Alfredsson's shot from the bottom of the right circle 7:31 into the second period.
San Jose outshot Detroit 7-4 in a scoreless first period, in which the Red Wings killed off two penalties and the Sharks killed off one.
NOTE: Detroit D Niklas Kronwall missed his second game with a mild concussion suffered Thursday night in Colorado. He was hurt on a hit from behind by Avalanche LW Cody McLeod, who was suspended for five games. Kronwall's defense partner, Jonathan Ericsson, also didn't play Monday because his wife went into labor Sunday night. D Xavier Ouellet was recalled from the Wings' AHL Grand Rapids affiliate. ... San Jose recalled C Freddie Hamilton and C John McCarthy from its AHL Worcester affiliate. The Sharks also assigned F Matt Pelech to Worcester. ... Red Wings G Jonas Gustavsson was selected the NHL's First Star for last week. Gustavsson posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in three Detroit wins. Sharks LW Patrick Marleau was the league's Third Star with three goals and six points. ... The game was the opener of a four-game Eastern road swing for San Jose.