Coyotes Beat Sharks 3-0
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS / AP) -- Mike Smith stopped 42 shots and Mikkel Boedker and Michael Stone scored second-period goals and the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-0 Saturday.
Raffi Torres added his 12th goal of the season early in the third period for Phoenix, which ended a five-game losing streak. The Coyotes have 78 points and are in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Smith earned his 16th career shutout, and the fifth this season. Smith's previous shutout was Feb. 16 against the Kings.
Antti Niemi made 26 saves for San Jose, which has lost five straight and seven of its past eight games. The Sharks have 75 points and trail eighth-place Colorado by one point in the West.
The Coyotes broke the scoreless tie late in the second period.
First, Niemi kicked Stone's shot from the right in the slot, and Boedker connected on the rebound at 13:58.
Later in the period, Stone's drive from the right point clanked off the post and behind Niemi for his first NHL goal at 18:10.
Both teams entered the game 0-for-March. Phoenix last won on Feb. 28 over Vancouver while the Sharks' previous win was a 1-0 victory over the Flyers on Feb. 28.
Applying more pressure early, the Coyotes outshot the Sharks 6-1 in the first five minutes. Phoenix had the best chance to score throughout a scoreless opening period but captain Shane Doan's breakaway was stopped by Niemi just over 8 minutes into the game.
NOTES: Phoenix D Rostislav Klesla returned after missing nine games. . Sharks forward Joe Thornton has two goals in past 15 games. ... Boedker's goal was his second in his past 32 games.
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