SHARKS 3, OILERS 2: Joe Thornton recorded a goal and an assist to help visiting San Jose snap a five-game losing streak and stay close to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Sharks, who are one point behind Colorado for eighth in the West, improved to 7-2 in their last nine games in Edmonton.

San Jose scored twice on the power play after going 0 for 13 with the man advantage over its previous six games.

Thornton put San Jose ahead 2-1 on the power play, muscling his way to the front of the net to bang home a centering pass from Patrick Marleau at 11:36 of the second period.

Thornton orchestrated the second power-play goal early in the third period. He fed Dan Boyle for a blast from the point that was redirected by Logan Couture to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead at 38 seconds.

Torrey Mitchell buried a loose puck in the crease to open the scoring 67 seconds into the game. Edmonton wouldn’t respond until the final minute of the first period when Ryan Whitney unleashed a slap shot from the left side to beat Antti Niemi and tie the score 1-1.

The Oilers responded down 2-1 when Taylor Hall scored his 26th goal of the season, winning the race to a loose puck and snapping it past Niemi with just over five minutes remaining in the middle frame.

Niemi made 20 saves but allowed two soft goals from the left side, both beating him over his left shoulder.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Edmonton fell to 1-7-1 in its last nine home games. ... Oilers left wing Ben Eager returned after missing two games with a virus. … San Jose is 11-4 in its last 15 meetings with Edmonton. … Couture snapped a seven-game scoreless drought. … Marleau recorded two assists.