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Penguins edge Sharks in shootout

Mar 30, 2015 - 3:23 AM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves in the first 65 minutes, then did not allow a goal in the shootout as the Pittsburgh Penguins earned a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Early in the overtime period, Pittsburgh's Patric Hornqvist took a four- minute high-sticking penalty, and Fleury had to make four saves on San Jose's 4-on-3 power play.

"You've got to find a way to score," said Sharks forward Logan Couture. "You have to. We knew the importance of that game."

Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz scored 56 seconds apart in the first period, and David Perron and Sidney Crosby scored in the shootout for Pittsburgh in its second straight win.

San Jose wrapped up a seven-game road trip with a 3-3-1 record. Alex Stalock made 31 saves in the setback.

Ben Smith and Couture scored for the Sharks, but the shootout ended when Couture's shot in the second round rang off the post.

Stalock settled in after Pittsburgh's two quick goals and set the tone for the rest of the game with a tremendous blocker save on Evgeni Malkin on a breakaway in the second period.

Just a minute after that stop, Smith got the Sharks on the board when he deflected in Justin Braun's slapshot from the point.

Couture's 25th goal of the season late in the middle period evened the score. Patrick Marleau's pass sent Couture into the zone behind the defense on the power play, and Fleury could not get enough of the puck to keep it out of the net.

The Sharks had two power plays in the third and Pittsburgh had one, but neither team could take advantage. Before the buzzer sounded, Stalock had to use his blocker again to deny a shot from an open Perron.

After Hornqvist went to the box in overtime, Joe Thornton nearly ended the game with a shot that clanged off the post. Despite heavy pressure from the Sharks, Pittsburgh's penalty killers were able to send the game to a shootout.

"It was a close, tight game, but the penalty kill made the difference," said Penguins coach Mike Johnston.

Perron opened the shootout with a goal on his backhand, and Melker Karlsson lost control of the puck when he attempted to duplicate that move.

In the second round, Crosby snapped a shot by Stalock and Couture's shot off the post ended the game.

Hornqvist opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the game. Instead of covering up a loose puck in front of him, Stalock poked it right onto Hornqvist's stick, and he backhanded it into the net.

The Penguins only needed 56 seconds to extend their lead. Crosby passed to Kunitz on the goal line, and the latter found the top corner of the net from a sharp angle for the power-play tally.

Game Notes

Each team won a shootout in the season series ... After Kris Letang sustained a concussion in Saturday's win against Arizona, Pittsburgh only dressed five defensemen ... The Penguins finished 11-2-1 against the Pacific Division ... Linesman Steve Barton left a second consecutive game early after being hit in the mouth by a stick on Saturday ... Referee Kevin Pollock officiated in his 1,000th NHL game and was honored by the two teams prior to the contest.