Sharks 2, Avalanche 1 (SO)
Ryane Clowe scored on the first chance in the shootout and Antti Niemi stopped all three chances to lift the San Jose Sharks to their seventh straight win, a 2-1 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
Joe Thornton scored the lone goal in regulation and Niemi made 19 saves for the Sharks, who moved within four points of the Detroit Red Wings for second place in the Western Conference.
Clowe got the first chance for the Sharks in the shootout and wristed a shot past Brian Elliott low on the glove side.
It was scoreless through two periods before Erik Johnson got the Avalanche on the board at the 1:18 mark of the third period. With Colorado on the power play, Johnson picked off a pass in San Jose's zone and wristed a shot from the high slot that beat Niemi high.
Thornton tied it with 2:58 left in regulation, coming from the goal line on Elliott’s right side and tipping in Jason Demers’ shot.