Niemi, Sharks Shut Out Ducks, 3-0

ANAHEIM (AP) — Antti Niemi earned his 30th NHL shutout, and third of the season, with 28 saves, Joe Pavelski scored his second goal of the game during a two-man advantage, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for the Ducks, who own the league's best record despite being shut out for the second time this season.

Corey Perry returned to the Anaheim lineup after missing 10 games because of a sprained knee. The Ducks are 16-7-1 this season when he is in the lineup and 8-2-5 without him. He missed five games in November with the mumps.

San Jose center Joe Thornton left with an undisclosed injury in the first period after a collision with Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner. The six-time All-Star has played every game for the Sharks during the previous three seasons and all 38 this season.

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