Sport-scan daily brief

After leaping into the air in joyous celebration, he pointed towards the stands to his mother and girlfriend, the latter of which just happened to be celebrating her birthday.

Hertl scored again less than seven minutes later on the power play, and the Sharks skated to their second win in as many tries in a game in which they were never really in danger. San Jose outshot the Coyotes 51-23, also getting goals from Patrick Marleau (power play) and Logan Couture (empty net). Antti Niemi made 22 saves and has allowed just two goals in two games.

But the evening belonged to Hertl, and on several occasions in the game, sections of the sellout crowd at the Shark Tank were heard chanting the 19-year-old Czech native’s name.

“It’s a big night for him, an exciting night, and one that he’ll remember for a long time. And, one that we’ll all remember as well,” Todd McLellan said. “We were part of his first goal, and second win. More importantly, the group played really, really well.”

Getting that early marker against Smith, who had a 6-0-1 record, 1.00 goals-against average and .971 save percentage in his last seven starts against the Sharks, was key. Adding a second and a third before the first period was over was even better.

Joe Thornton said: “You know he’s a world-class goalie. You’ve just got to make your shots count. Early on we got to him a little bit, and if you can get a couple quick goals on him, it definitely helps.”

“To score on the first shot against [Smith], that kind of gives you a little more confidence that you can beat him,” McLellan said. “He’s certainly had our number, so we’re happy with that.”

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic earned the primary assist on Hertl’s first goal and again on Marleau’s power play goal with a couple of slick feeds. Vlasic spotted Hertl behind the Coyotes’ defense in the neutral zone and fed him with a perfect tape-to-tape pass from behind the blue line, and later gobbled up the rebound of a Joe Pavelski shot and slid it to Marleau for a slam dunk on a power play at 12:30 of the first period.

Vlasic said: “Patty scores 40 goals a year. Might as well give it to him, right?”

The goal was Marleau’s second in as many games, while Vlasic has three assists on the young season.

The Coyotes finally showed signs to life late in the second period, when Oliver Ekman-Larsson used Vlasic as a screen to make it 3-1 at 16:47 of the second period. Phoenix took some momentum from the goal, but the Sharks got to the second intermission with their two-goal cushion unharmed.

The third period saw San Jose outshoot Phoenix, 17-6.

“We probably had them for a period and a half, they score that goal and you kind of feel it shift a little bit,” Thornton said of the momentum. “It was nice to come in here and relax, get focused, come back and play well in the third.”

McLellan said: “We were on our heels a little bit there [late in the second]. After that, we reestablished our play, and went after them.”

Hertl, though, was the one that gave the home team the momentum in the first place, becoming the youngest Sharks player since Marleau in 1999 to record a two-goal night.

“You can see how he’s having fun out there, smiling a lot,” Marleau said. “He brings a lot of energy to this group, and it’s fun to see.”

SHARKS NOTES

The Sharks registered 50 shots on goal for the ninth time in franchise history. Eight of those have come under McLellan. … Marleau had a game-high eight shots on goal. … Pavelski had two assists.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.06.2013

719828 San Jose Sharks

Instant Replay: Sharks bite early, beat Coyotes 4-1

October 5, 2013, 10:00 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – Coyotes goalie Mike Smith had four shutouts in his last seven starts against the San Jose Sharks.

But, he had never faced Tomas Hertl.

The 19-year-old Sharks rookie sensation scored his first NHL goal just 46 seconds into the game, added another less than seven minutes later, and the Sharks skated to a 4-1 win over Phoenix on Saturday night at SAP Center.

On the first goal, Hertl got a step behind the Phoenix defense and received a perfect tape-to-tape pass in the neutral zone from Marc-Edouard Vlasic. His backhander snuck through Smith to give San Jose the early lead.

Hertl’s impressive deflection of a Matt Irwin saucer from the point at 7:23 made it 2-0 on a Sharks power play. Patrick Marleau’s second goal in as many games increased it to 3-0, again with a man advantage, when Vlasic fed him a rebound of a Joe Pavelski shot for an easy tap-in at 12:30.

The Sharks controlled the pace of play for most of the first two periods, at one point holding a 31-10 advantage in shots on goal. The Coyotes got on the board at 16:47 of the second, though, when Oliver Ekman-Larsson used Vlasic as a screen and flung one past Antti Niemi.

Phoenix had momentum for the remainder of the second, but the Sharks regrouped to start the third and were never really in danger. Logan Couture’s first goal of the season into an empty net in the final minute sealed the win.

San Jose outshot the Coyotes for the game, 51-23.

The Sharks improved to 2-0-0, while Phoenix fell to 1-1-0.

Herl became the youngest Sharks player to record two goals in one game since 19-year-old Patrick Marleau did it on March 17, 1999.

Special teams

After taking an ugly 0-for-8 on Thursday, the Sharks converted on two of four power play chances.

San Jose was shorthanded just once, on a delay of game faceoff violation on Andrew Desjardins in the first period. The Coyotes did not capitalize.

In goal

Niemi improved to 2-0 with 22 saves, and has allowed just two goals in two games.

Lineup

The Sharks made just one change to their lineup from Thursday night’s season opener, inserting McCarthy on the fourth line for Matt Pelech, who was since reassigned to Worcester.

The Coyotes were missing defenseman Rusty Klesla (concussion) and forward Paul Bissonnette (suspension).

Up next

The Sharks conclude their three-game homestand on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. After that, eight of the next 10 games will be on the road, starting with a visit to Vancouver on Thursday.

719829 San Jose Sharks

Exclusive: Raffi Torres will return this season 'for sure'

October 5, 2013, 8:45 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – Raffi Torres was emphatically clear when asked if he would return this season from a torn right ACL, suffered in a preseason game on Sep. 20.

“Oh yeah. For sure,” Torres told CSNCalifornia.com in an exclusive interview on Saturday night, just before the Sharks-Coyotes game. The Sharks winger, who signed a three-year, $6 million contract extension in the offseason, was hurt when he collided with the Anaheim Ducks’ Emerson Etem just over two weeks ago.

Torres, who had surgery to repair the knee on Sep. 26, has been down this road before.

While playing for Edmonton, he suffered the same injury on Dec. 15, 2007 against Detroit, and missed the rest of the season. He didn’t return until nearly 11 months later on Nov. 1, 2008, moving on to Columbus that offseason.

Although he said this most recent surgery – which involves replacing the damaged ligament with that of a cadaver – was the same as the procedure he underwent in 2007, he seems to be ahead of schedule. Torres is walking around with a slight limp now and has even started light rehab, while last time it took him three weeks to put any weight on the knee.

“From the way it feels right now compared to the first surgery, it’s night and day,” said the 31-year-old.

He also experienced a setback after his first knee surgery, saying that he needed an additional surgery seven months later after some discomfort. That could be why Torres doesn’t want to predict a date for his return, although general manager Doug Wilson told Yahoo! Sports Talk Live’s Jim Kozimor that Torres is expected back “right around the Olympic break” in February, or “just after.” San Jose’s first game after the break is on Feb. 27 at Philadelphia.

Slow and steady will be how Torres approaches his rehab.

“The main thing is to have good days every day. We want to take it slow and do the right stuff, because with the knees if you take a step back, it could set you back if you don’t take it slow,” he said.

As for the play in which he was hurt, Torres doesn’t blame anyone but himself, after he ran into Etem from behind. The Anaheim forward hesitated at the blue line to remain onside just before the two violently collided.

“I didn’t realize Etem had pulled up. It’s totally not his fault, I’ve got to be aware what’s going on with the play. Next thing I know I’m doing a 360 on the ice and saying, ‘what just happened?’ … Big mistake on my part.”

Torres is naturally disappointed that he’s going to have to wait to play another game with the Sharks. He hasn’t seen any real action since Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs against Los Angeles, when he was controversially suspended for the remainder of that series for hitting the Kings’ Jarret Stoll.

“I was looking forward to a fresh start with these guys, so it’s tough,” Torres said. “Those are things I can’t dwell on. Mentally, if I start thinking about that stuff, it’s going to do nothing positive for me.”

Torres, who fit in well with his teammates on the ice and in the dressing room after an April trade with Phoenix last season, has plenty of support.

“This room is so light and upbeat and so loose, it’s great being here. It takes your mind off of the negative things,” he said.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.06.2013

719830 San Jose Sharks

Sharks must find a way to get to Smith

Kevin Kurz

October 5, 2013, 12:00 pm

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

- The Sharks are 16-2-3 in their last 21 home games against the Coyotes. San Jose has won via the shootout in four of their last nine home wins in the series.

- In their 4-1 season-opening win over the Rangers, Radim Vrbata scored the franchise's first hat trick in a season opener since Igor Korolev on October 7, 1995 against Dallas. Vrbata also had three goals in last season's finale against Anaheim.

- The Coyotes begin a season-long five-game road trip Saturday in San Jose. They finished up strong away from home last season, earning at least a point in five of their last six of the season (3-1-2).

- Last night, Shane Doan played his 1247th career game, all with the Coyotes franchise. It's the most games played by any active NHL player for one organization.

- After sweeping the Canucks in the 2013 playoffs, San Jose defeated them again in the season opener 4-1. Including postseason, the Sharks have won eight straight games over Vancouver.

- Last night, Tomas Hertl, 19, and Matt Nieto, 20, made their NHL debuts for San Jose, becoming the first two Sharks born after the franchise's first game on October 4, 1991. Hertl got his first career point with an assist.

“The biggest thing was the energy we brought. We can’t have a letdown now.”— Joe Pavelski

SAN JOSE -- When Mike Smith signed a six-year, $34 million contract extension with the Phoenix Coyotes this offseason, he probably had an urge to send a thank you note to the Sharks organization.

The goaltender’s recent numbers against San Jose are downright scary. In his last seven starts, he’s 6-0-1 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and four shutouts. He’ll try and backstop his club to its second straight win to start the season on Saturday night at SAP Center.

The Sharks will try and improve to 2-0 themselves, after Thursday’s 4-1 home win against Vancouver. Smith and the Coyotes figure to provide a tough test after they, too, started the season with a 4-1 victory against New York.

“They’re very disciplined. They play a hard game,” Logan Couture said. “They may not have the biggest names on that team, but they’re going to come in and they’re going to work. They win games by outworking teams.”

Todd McLellan said: “Their game management is exceptional, maybe the best in the league as far as not turning pucks over, penalties, shift length. You’ll never really see Phoenix beat themselves.”

San Jose isn’t overly focused on the Coyotes so early in the season; rather, it would like to make sure its own house is in order. McLellan said 70 percent of his game preparation for Saturday was on his Sharks, while 30 percent is about what he expects the Coyotes to do.

One player that could make Phoenix a more dangerous offensive team than the one that finished 21st in the league last year is Mike Ribeiro. Washington’s second-leading scorer in 2013, the 33-year-old offseason addition centers the Coyotes’ top line with Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker.

“He’s been a dominant player in our league for a long time,” McLellan said. “If somebody asked me to describe Mike Ribeiro, he can hold onto it and hold onto it and make plays. … It fits this team very well, because they activate their D all the time.”

Thursday’s win was encouraging in that the Sharks got goals from three different lines, one from a defenseman, and goaltender Antti Niemi picked up right where he left off after the best season of his career in 2013.

“We’re never going to be mistake free, so there’s some areas we need to work on, but the results were good,” McLellan said. “I felt like all of the players that dressed had a positive impact in some way or another.”

Joe Pavelski said: “I think the biggest thing was the energy we brought. We can’t have a letdown now.”

In order to prevent that letdown, getting to Smith is paramount.

“If we over-hype a goaltender because he’s played well against us, it isn’t going to do us any good,” Pavelski said. “We have to try and help our group, and find ways to beat him. He feels good playing against us, it’s our job to kind of turn the tide a little bit.”

* * *

John McCarthy will make his season debut in place of Matt Pelech, who was reassigned on Friday. It’s the only lineup change, as defenseman Brad Stuart and forward Adam Burish remain out.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.06.2013

719831 San Jose Sharks

Coyotes-Sharks: In the Crease

October 5, 2013, 9:45 am

Kevin Kurz

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

- The Sharks are 16-2-3 in their last 21 home games against the Coyotes. San Jose has won via the shootout in four of their last nine home wins in the series.

- In their 4-1 season-opening win over the Rangers, Radim Vrbata scored the franchise's first hat trick in a season opener since Igor Korolev on October 7, 1995 against Dallas. Vrbata also had three goals in last season's finale against Anaheim.

- The Coyotes begin a season-long five-game road trip Saturday in San Jose. They finished up strong away from home last season, earning at least a point in five of their last six of the season (3-1-2).

- Last night, Shane Doan played his 1247th career game, all with the Coyotes franchise. It's the most games played by any active NHL player for one organization.

- After sweeping the Canucks in the 2013 playoffs, San Jose defeated them again in the season opener 4-1. Including postseason, the Sharks have won eight straight games over Vancouver.

- Last night, Tomas Hertl, 19, and Matt Nieto, 20, made their NHL debuts for San Jose, becoming the first two Sharks born after the franchise's first game on October 4, 1991. Hertl got his first career point with an assist.

Programming note: Sharks-Coyotes coverage gets underway today at 7 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live, only on Comcast SportsNet California

Where they stand

Sharks: 1-0-0, 3rd Pacific Division, 5th Western Conference

Coyotes: 1-0-0, 2nd Pacific Division, 4th Western Conference

Vitals

Goals per game: 4.00 (T, 4th)

Goals-against per game: 1.00 (T, 3rd)

Power play: 0.0 percent (T, 17th)

Penalty kill: 83.3 percent (18th)

Coyotes

Goals-against per game: 1.00 (T, 3rd)

Power play: 33.3 percent (T, 5th)

Penalty kill: 75.0 percent (T, 22nd)

Probable lines

Sharks

Tyler Kennedy – Logan Couture – Patrick Marleau

Matt Nieto – Joe Pavelski – Tommy Wingels

James Sheppard – Andrew Desjardins – John McCarthy

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun

Matt Irwin – Dan Boyle

Jason Demers – Scott Hannan

Antti Niemi

Alex Stalock

Coyotes

Lauri Korpikoski – Martin Hanzal – Radim Vrbata

Lucas Lessio – Antoine Vermette – David Moss

Rob Kilnkhammer – Kyle Chipchura – Chris Brown

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Zbynek Michalek

Keith Yandle – Derek Morris

David Schlemko – David Rundblad

Mike Smith

Thomas Greiss

Last game

Sharks: Justin Braun broke a 1-1 tie with a late second period marker, and the Sharks pulled away late from Vancouver in a 4-1 win at SAP Center on Thursday. Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels each scored, and Logan Couture registered two assists. Antti Niemi made 21 saves in what was the Sharks’ fourth straight win in a season opener.

Coyotes: Radim Vrbata’s hat trick led the Coyotes to a 4-1 win at home over the New York Rangers. Kyle Chipchura also scored, and Mike Smith turned away 23 of 24 shots in goal.

Keep an eye on…

Sharks: Logan Couture. The Sharks’ center was the only player to record multiple points on Thursday, and his assist on Patrick Marleau’s third period insurance goal was perhaps the play of the game. He has seven goals in 17 career games against the Coyotes.

Coyotes: Mike Ribeiro. Phoenix’s big offseason addition takes over the top line center role for a team that had trouble scoring last season. The second-leading scorer for Washington last season, Ribeiro has 34 points in 45 career games against San Jose.

Injuries

Coyotes: Rusty Klesla (concussion) and Paul Bissonnette (suspension) are out.

Season series

This is the first of five meetings between the Sharks and Coyotes. Phoenix returns to the Bay Area on Nov. 2.

The Sharks are 58-46-7-8 all-time against the Phoenix/Winnipeg franchise.

Quoteable

“Of course, that’s a huge thing. It was a tight game until the end, so it’s great to get the points and get the first win in the first game.” – Antti Niemi, on the Sharks’ season opening 4-1 win on Thursday over Vancouver

Burning question

What is the biggest strength of the Sharks this season? Leave your response in the comments section below.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.06.2013

719832 St Louis Blues

Blues' light schedule allows club to roll with Halak

4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford jrutherford@post-dispatch.com 314-444-7135

The plan entering the 2013-14 season was to give goaltender Jaroslav Halak the bulk of the starts in net. With as light as the schedule is early, the Blues will roll with Halak for the foreseeable future.

Halak backstopped the Blues again Saturday against Florida, and it’s possible that he may receive the first six assignments of the season.

After Saturday’s game, the club will have three days off before hosting Chicago Wednesday, two days off before playing the New York Rangers next Saturday and two rest days before facing San Jose Oct. 15.

“There’s such a big break between games,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We’ll go with Jaro tonight and then see how it goes ... with all these breaks between games there’s no reason one guy can’t play to start the season. You’re looking probably on back-to-backs and three (games) in four nights we’re going to certainly make the move then. Brian’s last two days have been the best we’ve ever seen from him this year, so he looks like he’s ready to go.”

Following the homestand, the first road trip features games on back-to-back nights in Chicago and Winnipeg Oct. 17-18. Brian Elliott would likely draw the Jets’ game.

“We’re kind of just focused on one day at a time and seeing how Jaro feels,” Hitchcock said. “He played very well in Game 1 and we just want to keep going with it.”

whitney returns

Defenseman Ryan Whitney was released from his tryout with the Blues on Sept. 27, but he was back on the ice at Scottrade Center Saturday.

Whitney signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Florida and was in the Panthers’ starting lineup against the Blues.

“I knew going in it was going to be real tough (to make the Blues’ roster),” Whitney said. “A lot of it was I needed to play exhibition games and happened to be seen by (Florida). I knew it was important that I make a good impression. I made some friends in (St. Louis) in a couple weeks, which is cool. It’s a group that’s easy to be a part of over there. After tonight, I wish them luck.”

bluenotes

• Captain David Backes entered Saturday with five goals in six career games against Florida.

• Forward Alexander Steen had two teeth replaced by Dr. Ron Sherstoff Friday. Steen was high-sticked in Thursday’s season opener by Nashville’s Victor Bartley, who received a double-minor.

• Healthy scratches Saturday were forwards Magnus Paajarvi and Adam Cracknell and defenseman Ian Cole.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.06.2013

719833 St Louis Blues

Blues’ penalty kill stops shot attempts in win over Florida

4 hours ago • By TOM TIMMERMANN ttimmermann@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8190

The goal of any penalty killing unit is pretty simple.

“Kill them all,” said Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

The Blues almost took that to the next step on Saturday night. Late in the third period, as the penalties kept piling up on both teams, Florida had had a man advantage for more than nine minutes and not only had it not scored, it hadn’t even had a shot on goal. It took the Panthers 9:46 worth of having an extra man on the ice before Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak finally had to stop a puck, on a shot that went straight into Halak’s midsection. Or, basically, which had no chance of going in.

Simply, the Blues’ PK has been A-OK in the season’s first two games. On Thursday, they killed all four of Nashville’s power plays, allowing just three shots in eight minutes, and on Saturday, they killed all seven of Florida’s power plays and allowed just two shots in 12:21 as the Blues throttled the Panthers 7-0. Through two games, the Blues are a perfect 0 for 11 on the penalty kill, covering 20:21 and allowing a grand total of five shots. Going back to the end of last regular season, when the Blues finished seventh in the NHL in penalty killing at 84.7 percent, they have killed 21 straight power plays.

“I think early on it was maybe the sharpest part of our game,” said associate head coach Brad Shaw, who’s in charge of the penalty kill. “Then maybe there was a level of frustration that built into their power play and our confidence level has been growing. With every kill it seems to get bigger. That’s part of the momentum of the game.”