National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Anaheim 3, San Jose 2
When: 10:00 PM ET, Monday, December 22, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Referees: Greg Kimmerly, Jean Hebert
Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 17405

Ducks 3, Sharks 2 (OT): Ryan Kesler scored 58 seconds into overtime and Frederik Andersen made 30 saves as host Anaheim posted its ninth win in 11 games.

Although San Jose was able to kill off defenseman Brent Burns' high-sticking penalty that spanned into overtime, the Ducks kept the pressure on in the offensive end. Kesler sized up his options from the left faceoff circle and wristed a shot over the glove of Antti Niemi (29 saves) for his 12th goal - and sixth in nine games.

Defenseman Cam Fowler celebrated his 300th career game by scoring from the slot late in the third period to forge a 2-2 tie for the Ducks, who have an NHL-best 53 points and lead the second-place Sharks by eight in the Pacific Division. Rickard Rakell netted his first career regular-season goal, captain Ryan Getzlaf notched two assists and Matt Beleskey added one while also playing in his 300th career contest.

Joe Pavelski scored his league-leading ninth power-play goal and Melker Karlsson netted his first career tally for San Jose, which saw its five-game winning streak come to a halt and fell for the second time in 11 contests. Joe Thornton notched an assist for his 874th point to move past Phil Esposito and into sole possession of 22nd place on the all-time list.

Anaheim drew first blood as Rakell received a fortunate carom off the glass from Emerson Etem and batted the puck home at 7:20 of the second period before Pavelski deflected Burns' shot from the point past Andersen two minutes into the third. Playing in his sixth career game, Karlsson unleashed a shot from above the faceoff circle that squeezed past Andersen nearly six minutes later to give San Jose a 2-1 edge.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rakell, who was playing in his 47th career game, also tallied against Dallas in Game 5 of the last season's first-round playoff series. ... Andersen preserved a scoreless tie late in the first period by sliding across the crease to make a stellar right-pad save on Sharks C Tomas Hertl. ... Ducks RW Tim Jackman exited the contest midway into the second period after taking a hit from San Jose LW John Scott. Jackman remained on the ice for several moments before skating off under his own power.
Top Game Performances
 
San Jose   Anaheim
Melker Karlsson 1 Points Ryan Getzlaf 2
Melker Karlsson 1 Goals Cam Fowler 1
Brent Burns 1 Assists Ryan Getzlaf 2
Joe Pavelski 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Antti Niemi .906 Save Percentage Frederik Andersen .938
Antti Niemi 29 Saves Frederik Andersen 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
San Jose 32 2 1-2 3-3 11 30
Anaheim 32 3 0-3 1-2 9 30
Upcoming Games
  • Anaheim will play their next game on the road against Arizona. The Ducks have a W/L % of .652 after a win and .615 after a loss.
  • San Jose will play their next game on the road against Los Angeles. The Sharks have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .562 after a loss.