Stolarz has 45 saves as Ducks beat Sharks 4-0

Anthony Stolarz made a career-high 45 saves for his third career shutout and the Anaheim Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks 4-0 on Monday night.

Alexander Volkov had two goals, Max Comtois had a goal and an assist and Rickard Rakell also scored as the Ducks beat the Sharks handily on their home ice for the second time in less than a week.

Martin Jones finished with 15 saves for the Sharks, who began the night four points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division and lost for the third time in four games.

Anaheim Ducks right wing Alexander Volkov (92) skates past San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

San Jose outshot Anaheim 45-19 but was denied time and again by Stolarz, who has spent most of his career as a No. 3 goalie. He got just his seventh NHL victory since he broke into the league in the 2016-17 season.

For the second time in the past week, the Sharks appeared to come out flat against the last-place Ducks, who beat them 5-1 on Tuesday.

Anaheim took the lead just two minutes into the game when Comtois redirected a shot from Derek Grant and found the net for his team-leading 12th goal.

Anaheim Ducks left wing Andrew Agozzino (26) and San Jose Sharks left wing Marcus Sorensen (20) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Later in the first, Volkov took a pass from Sam Carrick and scored for a 2-0 lead at 8:12.

The Sharks’ best scoring chance came shortly after that second goal, but Marcus Sorensen hit the crossbar on a breakaway attempt.

Volkov scored his second of the night and sixth of the season at 12:19. Rakell added a score on a wrist shot that beat Martin Jones early in the third.

Anaheim Ducks center Sam Carrick (39) moves the puck up the ice past San Jose Sharks' Erik Karlsson (65) and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel (63) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

SHARKS ADD DRAFT PICK

In the hours leading up to Monday afternoon’s trade deadline, San Jose sent defenseman Nick DeSimone to Vegas in a three-team trade that also involved the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks received a fifth-round draft pick from Vegas.

San Jose made two more minor deals, acquiring collegiate goalie Magnus Chrona from Tampa Bay for defenseman Fredrik Claesson, and forward Alexander Barabanov from Toronto for forward Antti Suomela.

Anaheim Ducks right wing Alexander Volkov (92) celebrates with teammates Cam Fowler (4), Sam Carrick (39), and Andy Welinski (45) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Thought to perhaps be sellers at the deadline, Anaheim instead acquired defenseman Haydn Fleury from Carolina for defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and a sixth-round draft pick.

The Ducks also traded defenseman Ben Hutton to Toronto for a fifth-round pick.

Anaheim Ducks left wing Andrew Agozzino (26) battles for the puck against San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane (9) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

UP NEXT

The Sharks host the Ducks in a rematch Wednesday, the final game between the teams this season.

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

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane (9) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)