Evander Kane reached the 20-goal mark for the sixth straight season, Josef Korenar made 28 saves to win his second straight start and the San Jose Sharks beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 Wednesday night.
Kane's goal started a three-goal barrage for San Jose in the first period with Rudolfs Balcers and Kevin Labanc following up to help San Jose sweep the two-game series against Arizona.
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Evander Kane reached the 20-goal mark for the sixth straight season, Josef Korenar made 28 saves to win his second straight start and the San Jose Sharks beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 Wednesday night.
With the back-to-back losses the Coyotes fell three points behind St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the West Division with the Blues holding three games in hand. Arizona has lost nine of 11 games overall.
Kane played a big role in both wins with a goal and three assists on Monday night and then another goal in this game to give him 20 on the season. Kane became the fourth player to reach at least 20 goals in each of the past six seasons, joining Alex Ovechkin, Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov.
The Sharks jumped on top of Arizona early for a second straight game. After scoring 17 seconds into the game on Monday, the Sharks took 1:12 to get on the board in this game when Kane finished off a nifty passing sequence started by Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov.
SHARK KILLER
Coyotes: Host Vegas on Friday night.
The Sharks entered the series on an eight-game losing streak that all but knocked them out of playoff contention.
San Jose Sharks left wing Rudolfs Balcers (92) is congratulated by teammates John Leonard (43) and Mario Ferraro (38) after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
With the back-to-back losses the Coyotes fell three points behind St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the West Division with the Blues holding three games in hand. Arizona has lost nine of 11 games overall.
Tomas Hertl sealed the game with an empty-net goal for San Jose.
Phil Kessel and Johan Larsson scored but the Coyotes couldn't get anything else past the 23-year-old rookie Korenar. He got his first two career wins this week against Arizona.
San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) competes for the puck against Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Kane played a big role in both wins with a goal and three assists on Monday night and then another goal in this game to give him 20 on the season. Kane became the fourth player to reach at least 20 goals in each of the past six seasons, joining Alex Ovechkin, Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov.
Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves for Arizona.
FAST START
San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) collides with Arizona Coyotes left wing Michael Bunting (58) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
The Sharks jumped on top of Arizona early for a second straight game. After scoring 17 seconds into the game on Monday, the Sharks took 1:12 to get on the board in this game when Kane finished off a nifty passing sequence started by Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov.
San Jose added to that lead when Balcers took a turnover at the blue line and skated in to beat Kuemper with a backhand to make it 2-0.
Labanc added the third goal when he knocked in a loose puck after a scramble in front of the net.
Arizona Coyotes right wing Phil Kessel (81) moves the puck past San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
SHARK KILLER
Kessel got the Coyotes on the board late in the first period when Nick Schmaltz's shot deflected off him and in for his 18th goal. Arizona had an extra skater on the ice for 59 seconds because of a delayed penalty before the goal. It was Kessel's eighth goal of the season against San Jose, tying a record for the most vs. the Sharks held by Teemu Selanne (1995-96) and Luc Robitaille (1992-93).
UP NEXT
San Jose Sharks goaltender Josef Korenar blocks a shot by the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Coyotes: Host Vegas on Friday night.
Sharks: Visit Colorado on Friday night.
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Arizona Coyotes left wing Johan Larsson (22) celebrates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)