Mattias Janmark scored twice to lead Stars past Sharks 4-2
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Mattias Janmark returned to the lineup from injury and posted his first career two-goal game and Antti Niemi made 34 saves against his former team as the Dallas Stars beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Saturday.
Patrick Sharp added a power-play goal and Jamie Benn scored an empty-netter to help the Stars remain in first place in the Central Division by winning for the fourth time in five games. Niemi, traded to Dallas last offseason after five seasons in San Jose, got the win in his first start in two weeks.
Joel Ward scored a short-handed goal and Tomas Hertl also scored for San Jose. But the Sharks' late attempt at a rally fell short in their third straight regulation loss at home, once again delaying their playoff clinching. Martin Jones made 13 saves.
Janmark had missed six games with an upper-body injury and wasn't certain he'd return to the lineup until after taking the pregame skate against the Sharks. His return was welcomed by the Stars as he scored the first two goals of the game to help lead them to victory.