National Hockey League
San Jose 2, Montreal 1
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 2, 2016
Where: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Jon McIsaac
Linesmen: Brian Murphy, Vaughan Rody
Attendance: 17562

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Montreal is struggling to score these days, and San Jose goalie Martin Jones made sure Friday night it stayed that way.

Jones outdueled Carey Price as the Sharks continued their home domination of the Canadiens with a 2-1 win at sold-out SAP Center.

Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored first-period goals and Jones made 31 saves as the hosts wrapped up a busy portion of their schedule -- 10 games in 18 nights -- in impressive fashion.

"He did his job, he always does his job," Pavelski said of Jones. "We have a lot of confidence in him. He showed you why tonight. The guys did a good job in front of him. It was a really good effort against a good team."

In winning for the sixth time in seven games, first-place San Jose increased its lead in the Pacific Division to three points over idle Anaheim.

In addition, the Canadiens dropped to 0-8-2 since last winning in San Jose in November 1999. Montreal continued, too, to struggle offensively as the Habs were held to two or fewer goals for the sixth time in seven games.

"(It) would have been nice to get off to a better start in this building," Price said. "We ran into another goalie who is playing well."

San Jose had a scare late when center Logan Couture drew blood with an accidental high stick of right winger Alexander Radulov at 15:54 of the final period.

The Canadiens were able to break through on the second half of the double minor and deny Jones' shutout bid when left winger Artturi Lehkonen scored a six-on-four power-play goal with Price pulled for the extra attacker at 18:43 of the third period.

"Scary but it's OK," said Radulov, who did not return. "He tried to lift my stick, but I tried to jump in front of him and his stick went up because my stick was not there. It's just hockey."

Aside from a few minutes at mid-period, the Sharks were all over the Canadiens during the first period. San Jose scored the only two goals, and Jones was solid to keep Montreal off the scoreboard.

After dominating zone time early, the Sharks went on the game's first power play at 4:24 after Montreal defenseman Mark Barberio held Sharks fourth-line forward Micheal Haley.

Pavelski fed Burns' wheelhouse, and the Sharks defenseman stepped into a one-time slapper with his right knee on the ice to blast his 10th goal of the season from the left dot past Price at 5:22.

"He likes to shoot everything, wheelhouse or not, but he made a good shot and it finds a way in," Pavelski said.

"Obviously, shooting against Price, there's not that many holes, so it's good to get that one to go in," added Burns, who managed a team-high eight shots on goal. "I was swinging all night, couldn't get any others to go in."

Joe Thornton picked up the second assist to move into sole possession of 25th place on the career points list with No. 1,355.

San Jose converted at even strength late in the period. Pavelski forced a turnover inside the San Jose line and gave the puck to Thornton, who returned the favor for a tap-in with 56.5 seconds left. Pavelski gained a step on Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov to get into prime position for his eighth goal of the season.

Jones stymied the Canadiens with a number of big saves, including a sprawling glove stop on center Alex Galchenyuk, a pad save on right winger Brian Flynn and a blocker stop on right winger Alexander Radulov.

"Hey, we've got an elite goalie here. We're lucky to have Jonsey," Burns said. "He's great to play in front of. He's out there to show he's the best goalie in the league, and every night he shows it. He's unflappable."

Montreal outshot San Jose 10-7 during a scoreless second period in which Jones and Price continued to put on a goalie's clinic.

Jones made a left-pad save on Canadiens right winger Brendan Gallagher and received some good fortune when Radulov's drive six minutes later drew iron.

Price gloved a wrister by left winger Mikkel Boedker, stoned center Chris Tierney in close with his blocker and stoned breaking center Tommy Wingels late in the period.

"We played hard, the effort was there," Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. "We played a good hockey team tonight."

NOTES: Sharks LW Patrick Marleau appeared in his 1,436th game on Friday to tie John Bucyk (Boston) for the eighth-most appearances with one team. ... Montreal's five-game trip continues Sunday in Los Angeles. ... Having played its 10th game in 18 nights Friday, San Jose is idle until Wednesday before Ottawa pays a visit. ... Sharks C Joe Thornton came into the game with no goals and two assists in his last 11 games. ... San Jose D Paul Martin appeared in his 800th career game. ... The Canadiens played without D Nathan Beaulieu (neck) and C Charles Hudon (fractured sternum). D Zach Redmond and LW Daniel Carr were healthy scratches. F Brian Flynn returned after missing nine games. ... C Tommy Wingels returned after missing three straight games with a lower-body injury. D Dylan DeMelo, LW Matt Nieto and C Ryan Carpenter were healthy scratches.
Top Game Performances
 
Montreal   San Jose
Artturi Lehkonen 1 Points Joe Pavelski 2
Artturi Lehkonen 1 Goals Joe Pavelski 1
Alex Galchenyuk 1 Assists Joe Thornton 2
Artturi Lehkonen 1 Power Play Goals Brent Burns 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carey Price .933 Save Percentage Martin Jones .969
Carey Price 28 Saves Martin Jones 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Montreal 32 1 1-4 2-3 6 26
San Jose 30 2 1-3 3-4 8 39
Upcoming Games
  • San Jose will play their next game at home against Ottawa. The Sharks have a W/L % of .643 after a win and .545 after a loss.
  • Montreal will play their next game on the road against Los Angeles. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .706 after a win and .571 after a loss.