Coyotes 5, Sharks 3
Lauri Korpikoski collected his second two-goal game of the season and Mike Smith turned aside 32 shots as the Phoenix Coyotes skated to a 5-3 home victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Martin Hanzal, Radim Vrbata and Raffi Torres also tallied and captain Shane Doan and Boyd Gordon notched two assists apiece for Phoenix, which has won two of three versus Pacific Division-leading San Jose this season.
With the game tied at 2-2, Hanzal was credited with converting a 2-on-1 rush with 47 seconds remaining in the second period. Sharks defenseman Brent Burns was chasing the play and his stick knocked the puck past Antti Niemi and into the net.
Korpikoski provided insurance with his second of the night and 13th of the season after the puck caromed off his skate and past Niemi at 8:03 of the third period.
Niemi was making his return after he was injured during Wednesday's practice. The 28-year-old Finn had posted shutouts in his previous two outings, but fell to 5-2-1 in his career versus the Coyotes.
Logan Couture scored his team-leading 22nd goal of the season to extend his point streak to six games. The All-Star has four goals and five assists during that stretch.
Jamie McGinn and Patrick Marleau also tallied for San Jose, which saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.