Nabokov gets shutout as Sharks feast on Penguins

SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) – San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov stopped 27 shots for his 49th career shutout as the Sharks crushed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-0 in an early season clash of NHL division leaders on Saturday.

"It starts with the goalie," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle, who had a goal and an assist, told reporters. "He's playing real well."

Joe Pavelski, who had been sidelined for 15 games with a broken foot, also collected a goal and an assist as did Manny Malhotra to help the Pacific Division-leading Sharks remain unbeaten in five regulation games at home this season.

"I'm normally pass-first mentality," Boyle said. "But tonight I wanted to shoot the puck a little bit more."

Jamie McGinn and Dany Heatley added San Jose's other goals.

Pittsburgh, the Atlantic Division's top team and defending Stanley Cup champion, lost on the road for only the second time in nine games.

The Sharks chased Penguins starting netminder Marc-Andre Fleury after a minute and 41 seconds of the second period after he had let in three goals on 14 shots. Brent Johnson played the remainder of the game, saving 19 of 21 shots.

McGinn and Pavelski, the latter on a powerplay, gave San Jose a 2-0 first period lead. Boyle and Heatley made it 4-0 in the second with Heatley netting his 11th goal of the season 3:31 into the period.

Malhotra scored on another powerplay in the third.

Pittsburgh, which was beaten 5-2 by the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, played without center Evgeni Malkin and winger Tyler Kennedy due to injuries and lost defenseman Kris Letang to an undisclosed injury in the first period.

"We were depleted at the end," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "But I don't think where we were at (in the game) had to do with the depleted lineup."

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Alastair Himmer)