Canucks 4, Sharks 2
Sami Salo scored twice in a 16-second span midway through the second period as the Vancouver Canucks struck on three consecutive two-man power plays in a 4-2 win over the host San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of the NHL's Western Conference final on Sunday.
Ryan Kesler also scored during the power-play barrage while Alex Burrows added a third-period goal as the Canucks seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Sedins combined for seven assists, with Henrik in on all four goals and Daniel adding three helpers.
Andrew Desjardins and Ryane Clowe replied for San Jose, which will try to stave off elimination in Game 5 Tuesday night in Vancouver.
After a scoreless but entertaining first period, Vancouver was given an extended 5-on-3 power play in the second after San Jose's Dany Heatley and Torrey Mitchell took minor penalties 50 seconds apart. Kesler took instant advantage at 9:16 of the period, slapping a one-timer past Niemi just 10 seconds after Mitchell went to the box.
A San Jose too-many-men infraction gave the Canucks another 5-on-3 chance, and Salo extended the lead at 10:55 when his blast from the point on a setup from Henrik Sedin beat Niemi low on the blocker side.
Just six seconds later, Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray was given a delay-of-game minor for flipping the puck over the glass. Salo converted on the ensuing two-man advantage, blistering a shot from the top of the slot that deflected off a San Jose defenseman and past Niemi at 11:11.
After Burrows made it 4-0 at 5:43 of the third, the Sharks finally solved Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo at 7:02 when Desjardins redirected a Kent Huskins shot from point-blank range.
Clowe's sixth of the postseason with 4:05 remaining rounded out the scoring.
Sharks captain Joe Thornton left the game with an upper-body injury after being hit while skating with his head down. He did not return.