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Nabokov's second straight shutout lifts Sharks over Wild

Mar 7, 2007 - 5:08 AM ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov is getting hot.

Nabokov made 26 saves to record his second straight shutout as the Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild, 3-0.

Milan Michalek, Ryane Clowe and Jonathan Cheechoo scored for San Jose, which won for just the fourth time in its last 11 games.

"We played a good road game," Nabokov said. "We were disciplined, we didn't give up any penalties, which is always a key on the road. We had a couple of breakdowns, but we recovered from them and scored the goals when we needed."

Joe Thornton had two assists for San Jose, which climbed into second place in the Pacific Division, seven points behind the idle Anaheim Ducks.

"It's big anytime you get a win this time of year," Cheechoo said. "We're right with these guys in the standings. Our eyes are on the teams right ahead of us in the standings, and we want to get the best position possible."

The Sharks moved into fifth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Dallas Stars and three in front of the Wild.

Nabokov made 26 saves in a 4-0 win over Dallas on Sunday. His 33rd career shutout gave him a 2-3-1 record with 15 goals allowed in his last six contests.

"I don't think there will be any game now that isn't going to be big," Nabokov said. "All the games on the road are going to be big. You have to be prepared, because most likely we are going to play those guys (Minnesota) in the playoffs.

Thornton has 19 assists in his last 16 games and is second in the league with 68 assists.

Cheechoo, who entered with just one goal in his last 10 games, gave the Sharks a 3-0 lead when he took a pass from Michalek in the slot and rifled the puck over goaltender Niklas Backstrom's glove.

"It's nice now, I feel better every day," Cheechoo said. "With the goal, it's starting to pick up a little bit, so let's hope things continue this way."

The reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner has just 23 goals in 61 games this season, well below last season when he had 56 in 82 games.

Clowe, who entered with just one point in his last 10 games, scored a goal for the second straight contest.

Backstrom allowed three goals on 24 shots and was pulled after the second period. He entered 9-2-2 in his last 14 contests.

"I don't think Nik played bad," netminder Manny Fernandez said. "He looked pretty strong to me. I wasn't expecting him to be pulled, but you have to roll with it. This way, I didn't have to think too much. It was just get in there and do your best."

Fernandez, who returned after missing 14 games with a sprained left knee, made two saves in the third period.

"It was nice to strap on the pads," Fernandez said. "It was fun to play. I didn't get much action, so it's tough to say how good I was."