Nabokov blanks Ducks as Sharks clinch playoff spot

March 16, 2009

Evgeni Nabokov made 34 saves for his sixth shutout of the season, and the San Jose Sharks edged the Anaheim Ducks, 1-0, to clinch a playoff spot in the tightly knit Western Conference.

At 100 points in 68 games played, the Sharks become the second team in the league to clinch a spot in the postseason. The Red Wings accomplished the feat earlier Sunday after shutting out Columbus, 4-0, to give them 101 points.

Travis Moen scored the game’s only goal, as the Sharks won for the third time in four games. Nabokov improved to 34-8-7 on the season with his 46th career shutout.

“(Anaheim) came out pretty hard right away, so it took a little while to find our legs,” Nabakov said. “But our effort was there, so we killed the penalties pretty well. It wasn’t an easy game, but it was a good road win.”

Corey Perry registered a game-high six shots but couldn’t find the back of the net for the Ducks, who have lost four of five. Jonas Hiller was the hard-luck loser, stopping 29-of-30 shots in the defeat.

“It’s frustrating, but we got to keep our head up and keep going,” Hiller said. “Everything’s possible.”

After a scoreless first period, the Sharks scored the game’s first goal late in the second frame. Jamie McGinn sent a pass out in front, and Moen tipped it up in the air. The puck took an awkward deflection off a defenseman and found its way past Giguere with 1:02 remaining for a San Jose lead.

A power play in the final four minutes didn’t work out for Anaheim, and the Ducks failed with an extra attacker in the final moments, as San Jose skated away with the victory.

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