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Fedorov, Leclaire keep Blue Jackets rolling

Oct 28, 2007 - 2:37 AM By Dave Holstein PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- One day after a thorough defeat in Detroit, the San Jose Sharks were hoping for a better effort and result on Saturday. While the effort was improved, the result was the same.

Sergei Fedorov snapped a tie in the second period and Pascal Leclaire made 16 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets posted a 2-1 victory over the Sharks.

Manny Malhotra recorded two assists for the Blue Jackets, who have won three in a row and four of five. Columbus, which improved to 6-4-1 this season, did not pick up its sixth win last season until November 25.

"I think the thing that is impressive for us is, it was our sixth game in 11 days," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We are learning to play with the lead and not sitting back, and going after it."

San Jose, which was limited to a franchise-low 11 shots in Friday's 5-1 setback, recorded six of its 17 overall in the first period of this one. One of them gave the Sharks the lead, as Joe Thornton's attempted pass to Ryane Clowe deflected off the stick of defenseman Adam Foote and past Leclaire at 7:12.

"A better effort, but the same result," San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov said. "It's only good if you get the win. Last night was not good, and tonight, maybe a better effort, but again, the same result - a loss, which is not good."

The goal was the first allowed by Leclaire in his five victories this season. He currently leads the NHL with four shutouts.

"Like I said before, the shutouts are a team thing," Leclaire said. "We could have won 7-6 tonight, as long as we get the win. We need points in the standings. We just want to play solid."

Columbus answered just 77 seconds later, when Dan Fritsche received a return pass from Malhotra at the top of the slot and moved to the inner edge of the left faceoff circle before firing a shot into the top right corner of the net, beating Nabokov high to the glove side to forge a 1-1 tie.

"It was a great pass from Manny," Fritsche said. "Once I got the puck, I was thinking shot all the way, and I was fortunate it went in. It's nice to get that first one of the year."

The goal came after the line of Fritsche, Malhotra and Jason Chimera had a number of other failed opportunities.

"Well, they got one after 27 chances, so they're getting better," Hitchcock said.

The Blue Jackets moved ahead late in the middle session during a power play. With San Jose defenseman Doug Murray in the penalty box for high-sticking, Fedorov unleashed a rising wrist shot from above the slot that found its way just under the crossbar with 86 seconds to go in the period for his third goal of the season.

"We had good coverage at the net," Fedorov said. "The goalie didn't see it all the way through. Mainly, you shoot (from) back there for tips and the rebounds, but it went in."

"I didn't see the puck until it was by me," Nabokov admitted. "There was traffic in front, Malhotra I think, and the puck just kept rising and I didn't see it."

Columbus has scored at least one man-advantage tally in six straight games.

Looking to rebound after being pulled midway through the third period against Detroit, Nabokov stopped 16 shots for San Jose. The former Calder Trophy winner fell to 11-4-0 lifetime against Columbus.

It was the third loss in five games for the Sharks, who fell to 1-2-0 on their four-game road trip.

"A loss is a loss," San Jose coach Ron Wilson said. "We competed a lot harder. ... We watched some video after the Detroit game and just told the guys we needed to tighten some things up. It's still a loss even though a few things were better than last night."

"They all hurt when you don't come to play," Sharks defenseman Craig Rivet added. "Right now, we have too many passengers that don't give us much of a chance to win. That has not only been the case the last couple of games, but for the entire year so far."