National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Phoenix 2, San Jose 1
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Referees: Tom Kowal, Stephen Walkom
Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Darren Gibbs
Attendance: 12588


Coyotes 2, Sharks 1: Defensemen Michael Stone and Keith Yandle scored first-period goals and host Phoenix held on for just its second win in six games (2-2-2).

Captain Shane Doan ended a seven-game point drought with two assists and Mike Smith made 33 saves for the Coyotes, who were eliminated from playoff contention when Detroit defeated Los Angeles earlier Wednesday.

Brent Burns scored and Thomas Greiss turned aside 30 shots in a rare start for San Jose, which failed to overtake the Kings for fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round of the postseason.

The Coyotes got on the board at 11:56 of the first period, when Stone beat Greiss to the stick side with a blast from the top of the right faceoff circle for his fifth goal.

Phoenix doubled the lead during a power play with 2:08 remaining in the opening session. With Sharks defenseman Matt Tennyson in the penalty box for hooking, Yandle unleashed a one-timer from the right point that deflected off San Jose blue-liner Brad Stuart and past Greiss.

The Sharks took advantage of a turnover and halved the deficit 3:31 into the second period. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson flipped a clearing attempt from along the right-wing boards directly to Burns, who plucked the puck out of mid-air and fired it past Smith from the top of the right circle.

GAME NOTEBOOK: With a playoff spot finally clinched, San Jose was able to give G Antti Niemi a well-deserved rest. Niemi had started 24 consecutive games. ... Greiss was making his fifth start of the campaign and first since losing at Calgary on March 6. ... Yandle's goal was his 10th of the season, one behind Montreal's P.K. Subban for the league lead among defensemen. ... Phoenix scored a total of seven goals while going 2-2-1 against San Jose this season. ... Sharks D Jason Demers missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury.

Top Game Performances
 
San Jose   Phoenix
Brent Burns 1 Points Shane Doan 2
Brent Burns 1 Goals Michael Stone 1
Brent Burns 0 Assists Shane Doan 2
N/A Power Play Goals Keith Yandle 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Thomas Greiss .938 Save Percentage Mike Smith .971
Thomas Greiss 30 Saves Mike Smith 33
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
San Jose 34 1 0-2 3-4 8 26
Phoenix 32 2 1-4 2-2 4 26
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Colorado. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .368 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • San Jose will play their next game on the road against Los Angeles. The Sharks have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .429 after a loss.