Luke Kunin scored the go-ahead goal at 12:48 of the third period and the San Jose Sharks beat the visiting Washington Capitals 2-1 on Monday night in a matchup of the two lowest-scoring teams in the NHL.
A high-sticking penalty against Washington defenseman Martin Fehervary at 11:19 of the third period gave the Sharks the man advantage and they cashed it in. Justin Bailey controlled the puck in the right corner and fed to Kunin in the right circle for a one-timer that beat Darcy Kuemper far side for his fifth goal of the season.
Fabian Zetterlund also scored for the Sharks and Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves in the win.
The Sharks have won back-to-back games for the second time this season. After starting 0-10-1, San Jose is 5-5-1 in its past 11 games.
Evgeny Kuznetsov scored for the Capitals, who have lost two straight and were opening a five-game road trip. Kuemper made 21 saves.
The Sharks were 1-for-3 on the power play; the Capitals were 0-for-3.
Washington entered the game averaging 2.41 goals per game; San Jose came in at 1.62.
Zetterlund gave the San Jose a 1-0 lead at 10:23 of the first period. Kuemper made the initial save against Zetterlund on the rush, but the rebound found its way to Zetterlund just below the right circle and he wristed the puck past Kuemper.
It was Zetterlund's second goal in two games and sixth of the season, matching his career high set in 67 games last season.
Kuznetsov tied the score 1-1 at 16:25 of the second period with his fourth goal of the season. Washington kept the puck in the San Jose zone for an extended time and Kuznetsov's shot from the top of the left circle hit Blackwood and then appeared to deflect in off San Jose defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk.
Washington's Tom Wilson hit the post off a pass from Alex Ovechkin during a power play late in the second period.
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