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Pavelski's hat trick powers Sharks over Blues

Mar 20, 2011 - 7:53 AM San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Joe Pavelski recorded his first career hat trick and added an assist, as the San Jose Sharks jumped on the St. Louis Blues early en route to a 5-3 win at HP Pavilion.

Antti Niemi made 42 saves for the Pacific Division-leading Sharks, who got goals from Torrey Mitchell and Devin Setoguchi in their third straight win.

"We feel confident with the puck and it's led to chances," said Pavelski.

T.J. Hensick, David Backes and Andy McDonald all scored for St. Louis, which has dropped three of four and is all but out of playoff contention in the Western Conference.

Jaroslav Halak was pulled after yielding three goals on 10 shots to open the game. Ty Conklin made 22 saves in relief.

"They've found their game. They've got really good balance through their lineup," Blues head coach Davis Payne said of the goal-happy Sharks.

Mitchell cleaned up a rebound to get the scoring started 4:03 in, and Pavelski redirected Patrick Marleau's point shot into the back of the net while on the power play just 42 seconds later.

The Sharks were on the man advantage again when Pavelski ripped a slap shot past Halak at 7:41, ending the netminder's night between the pipes.

Hensick was credited with a goal 8:19 into the second when Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray inadvertently put one in off his skate.

Setoguchi answered a little over four minutes later with his 20th goal of the season, and Pavelski finished off his hat trick with another re-direct with just 5.3 seconds remaining in the frame.

Backes and McDonald scored in the third at 8:00 and 18:21, respectively, to account for the final margin.

Game Notes

Sharks head coach Todd McLellan was not in attendance due to personal reasons. Trent Yawney served behind the bench instead...San Jose's Dany Heatley served the second game of his two-game ban for a hit to the head of the Stars' Steve Ott on Tuesday...Sharks star rookie Logan Couture left the game with an apparent leg injury...The Sharks scored on both their power-play chances while St. Louis went 0-for-2 with the man advantage.