Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns each had a goal and three assists, Martin Jones made 31 saves and the San Jose Sharks held off the slumping Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Wednesday night.

Evander Kane, Joonas Donskoi and Lukas Radil also scored for the Sharks, who extended Colorado's recent slide after a 9-0-2 stretch lifted the Avalanche into first place in the Central Division in early December.

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, front, congratulates center Joe Pavelski after he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns each had a goal and three assists, Martin Jones made 31 saves and the San Jose Sharks held off the slumping Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Wednesday night.
San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, back, deflects a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

But the Sharks didn't need extra time to win their third in four games.
San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier, front, blocks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard as they pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Kane scored his 12th of the season 4:15 into the period when he stole the puck from Barrie and beat goalie Philipp Grubauer high. Donskoi made it 4-1 when he stuffed the puck inside the post on a wraparound 2:15 after Kane's goal.
San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, back, shoots the puck for a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado pulled Francouz for an extra skater at 18:16 but couldn't get one past Jones.
San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Sharks: Home against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
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San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, front, congratulates center Joe Pavelski after he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns each had a goal and three assists, Martin Jones made 31 saves and the San Jose Sharks held off the slumping Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Wednesday night.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, back, deflects a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

But the Sharks didn't need extra time to win their third in four games.

San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier, front, blocks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard as they pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Kane scored his 12th of the season 4:15 into the period when he stole the puck from Barrie and beat goalie Philipp Grubauer high. Donskoi made it 4-1 when he stuffed the puck inside the post on a wraparound 2:15 after Kane's goal.

San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, back, shoots the puck for a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado pulled Francouz for an extra skater at 18:16 but couldn't get one past Jones.

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Sharks: Home against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Tyson Jost had two goals and Matt Calvert and Tyson Barrie both scored for Colorado, which is 3-8-3 since Dec. 4. The Avalanche have dropped six in a row, two in overtime.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, front, congratulates center Joe Pavelski after he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, front, congratulates center Joe Pavelski after he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

But the Sharks didn't need extra time to win their third in four games.

San Jose led 2-1 after the first period on power-play goals by Pavelski and Burns.

Burns' goal on a 5-on-3 advantage gave the Sharks a lead they quickly expanded in the second.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, back, deflects a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, back, deflects a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Kane scored his 12th of the season 4:15 into the period when he stole the puck from Barrie and beat goalie Philipp Grubauer high. Donskoi made it 4-1 when he stuffed the puck inside the post on a wraparound 2:15 after Kane's goal.

Pavel Francouz took over for Grubauer, who finished with 10 saves. Francouz made 12.

Radil scored on Francouz to make it 5-1 at 16:33 of the second. Jost answered 16 seconds later to get Colorado back within three. Barrie made it a two-goal game with his fifth at 12:12 of the third, and Jost's redirect at 16:36 got the Avalanche within a goal.

San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier, front, blocks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard as they pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier, front, blocks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard as they pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado pulled Francouz for an extra skater at 18:16 but couldn't get one past Jones.

NOTES: Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov was out with a lower-body injury. ... Barrie's goal was the 275th point of his career, tying John-Michael Liles for most by an Avalanche defenseman. ... San Jose D Justin Braun played just one shift after the first period due to an undisclosed injury. ... The Sharks had three players selected All-Stars earlier in the day: Pavelski, Burns and defenseman Erik Karlsson. Colorado RW Mikko Rantanen also was honored. ... Kane has three goals in his last three games against Grubauer.

UP NEXT

San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, back, shoots the puck for a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane, back, shoots the puck for a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Sharks: Home against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Avalanche: Host the New York Rangers on Friday night.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/tag/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar talks about a play to left wing Gabriel Landeskog, defenseman Tyson Barrie and center Alexander Kerfoot, from left, during a timeout late in the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. The Sharks won 5-4. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

 Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, left, skates out to the net as goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads to the bench after being pulled from the crease in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

 Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Alexander Kerfoot, left, battles for control of the puck with San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)