SAN JOSE -- Veteran Scott Hannan and Tyler Kennedy scored goals for the Sharks in the first period en route to a 2-1 win over the Devils.
The Sharks have a two game win streak on this five game homestand and are nearly perfect at home, only one regulation loss in ten games at the Tank.
Athletes are better conditioned than ever nowadays and that was no more evident than Saturday night's Sharks game where 41 year olds Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur continue to be ageless wonders.
On his incredible longevity, Brodeur told reporters, "I think if you enjoy the game you go out there every night to do your best. It makes it easy on your body and your mind. When you allow outside sources kind of get to you, it's tough to be able to perform game in and game out. For me it's liking what I do and if I could play 78 games a year I'd do it every year."
The big story coming into the game was young Sharks center Tomas Hertl who grew up watching the legendary Jagr.
He played against Jagr in two Czech Republic games during the lockout which were won by Hertl's team. But this was the first time in his NHL career he had a chance to play against his childhood idol.
The Devils are not a puck possession team but rather, muckers and grinders. That was evident in their shot total of 19 and only three in the first period.
New Jersey carried the play for a portion of the second period but then a minor against Marek Zidlicky for tripping put San Jose on the man advantage. Although the Devils killed off the penalty, San Jose continued to keep the puck in the New Jersey zone.
Some nifty saves by Brodeur including a point blank glove save on Logan Couture with 13:22 remaining in the 2nd period. Jacob Josefson also helped to clear the puck away from the crease when it appeared Brodeur was out of position towards the end of the period.
Although the Sharks didn't score in the second period there wasn't a sense of urgency by the Devils through 40 minutes either.
Brodeur got shaken up late in the third period with 1:31 left when Brent Burns took a shot which deflected off Brodeur's right shoulder blade near the neck. He was examined by a team trainer and moments later was on the bench for the extra attacker.
A big save by Niemi on Mychal Ryder and New Jersey used its timeout with 28.5 seconds left. The Devils twice get icing to keep the puck in the Sharks zone. A final shot by Travis Zajac was saved by Niemi as time expired.
Head coach Todd McLellan knows his team does well in the first period but wants more consistency throughout the game.
"I told the guys on the road trip I think that's one of the biggest areas that we can improve in is sticking with the game plan, putting teams away, managing the lead and playing our game through that, not wandering off and doing something different or slowing it down."
Video Highlights
Goal descriptions
1. Joe Thornton gets the puck in the right corner and feeds a long pass to Scott Hannan whose blast from the point is Hannan's third goal of the season.
2. A perfect pass from Marty Havlat to the tape of Tyler Kennedy in the right faceoff circle. The shot beats Brodeur on the blocker side.
3. Patrik Elias scores on the power play with a shot from the right wing between the pads of Niemi.
Turning point
The Sharks goal by Tyler Kennedy giving San Jose a two goal lead in the first period which proved to be the eventual game winner.
Contenders
Martin Havlat - gets his second assist of the season on Kennedy's goal and his presence is stabilizing the third line.
Martin Brodeur - The future Hall of Fame goalie is as good as ever even in his 40's. This might have been his final game in San Jose and he got a nice ovation from fans when he was announced in the starting lineup.
Pretenders
Jason Demers - gets called for a hooking penalty in the third period and the Devils take advantage scoring on the man advantage with one second left.
No one individually on the Devils but collectively the team was sluggish with little zip in their legs for most of the game. They also took a bench minor for too many men on the ice in the third period which is inexcusable. Luckily for them, Brodeur had a strong clearing attempt and the Sharks didn't score on the power play.
Notes
Martin Brodeur has never shutout either the Sharks or the Oilers. ... For the fourth time this season the Sharks held an opposing team to under 20 shots in a game. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, San Jose has 11 players with game-winning goals this season. Only the Colorado Avalanche have more players (12) with game-winning goals. ... Scott Hannan scored his third goal of the season. His career-high for goals in a season is six (2003-04 and 2005-06). ... Joe Thornton's assist on Scott Hannan's goal gives him 1,142 career points, tying him for 50th place on the NHL all-time points list.