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Ducks play spoiler to contending Sharks

Mar 20, 2012 - 6:06 AM San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Bobby Ryan and Nick Bonino helped the visiting Anaheim Ducks deny San Jose an opportunity to move back into a playoff position with a 5-3 victory on Monday night.

Ryan had a goal and two assists for the Ducks, who avoided a sixth loss in seven games. Bonino, a former San Jose draft pick, recorded three assists.

"Obviously it's a career high for me, never had three points [in a game] before. It feels good," Bonino said.

Jeff Deslauriers stopped 27 shots in just his second appearance -- first since January 10 -- for Anaheim this season. Jonas Hiller had started a club-record 32 consecutive games.

Ryane Clowe posted a goal and two assists for San Jose, which was looking to extend its winning streak to three games. Antti Niemi surrendered four goals on 26 shots before being replaced by Thomas Greiss.

The Sharks could have jumped back into first place in the Pacific Division with a win over the cellar-dwelling Ducks. With the regulation loss, they remain one point out of the Western Conference's top eight.

"It's disappointing. We could have hopped over a bunch of teams," said Sharks captain Joe Thornton.

San Jose led on two occasions in the first period. Each time, however, the Ducks provided a rebuttal.

Martin Havlat, who returned last week from a 39-game absence due to a hamstring injury, opened the scoring on a power play, slipping a backhander in at the 6:24 mark.

Ryan countered 51 seconds later, but San Jose went back ahead when Havlat fed Clowe for a one-timer in the slot at 9:20. Francois Beauchemin tied it off a behind-the-net feed from Bonino with 2:08 left.

Anaheim grabbed its first lead 56 seconds into the second period. The puck sat in the crease after Niemi denied Ryan Getzlaf on a breakaway and a trailing Corey Perry scored into an yawning cage.

The Ducks doubled their advantage midway through the frame on Nate Guenin's shot from just inside the blue line.

San Jose closed to within 4-3 with 2:31 to play in the second on Joe Pavelski's redirection of a Brent Burns point shot. Once again, Anaheim responded quickly as Kyle Palmieri beat Greiss from a sharp angle 33 seconds later.

The Sharks failed to convert on a pair of power plays in the third period, including the final 1:17 with Greiss on the bench.

Game Notes

Anaheim improved to 4-1-0 against San Jose this season...The Ducks snapped a five-game road losing streak...Greiss made 13 saves in relief...The Sharks last won three straight games from January 24-February 2.