SAN JOSE – When you haven’t won in a building in more than 18 years, you might need a few unorthodox goals to finally get one.
The Penguins jumped out to a 3-0 lead – all of them coming on shots below the goal line – and beat the Sharks at SAP Center, 5-1. It was Pittsburgh’s first win in San Jose since Oct. 22, 1997.
The Sharks lost for just the second time in their last nine games (7-2-0), but dropped two of three on their brief homestand.
Phil Kessel opened the scoring. Stationed behind the net he attempted to direct the puck toward the front, but it ricocheted off of Paul Martin’s skate and up and over Martin Jones’ shoulder just 2:30 into the game on a bad luck goal from San Jose’s perspective.