Aaron Dell, Sharks silence Flyers

SAN JOSE -- Aaron Dell made 21 saves for his first NHL shutout, and the San Jose Sharks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0 at SAP Center on Friday.
"I think I had a pretty easy night tonight," Dell said. "They didn't really give up a lot. I think that was probably the best all-around game we've played all year."

Patrick Marleau scored at 16:29 in the first period, and defenseman Justin Braun scored with 4:37 left in the third for the Sharks (23-12-1), who won their fourth straight game and eighth in nine. They defeated the Flyers for the fifth straight time and have 17 wins in their past 20 games against Philadelphia.
WATCH: All Flyers vs. Sharks highlights
The Flyers (20-14-4) have lost three straight games in regulation for the first time this season.
"We've got to stop this slide immediately," Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds said. "We know this is serious. We've got to get back on the good side of games and we have to do it fast."
Flyers goaltender Steve Mason gave up one goal on 12 shots in the first period but appeared to injure his left hand with 3:46 remaining in a collision with Sharks center Joe Thornton. Mason finished the period, but Anthony Stolarz took over at the start of the second and made 21 saves in his fourth NHL game. Hakstol said he'd have an update on Mason's condition Saturday.

Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was hit in the face by the puck on a shot by Shayne Gostisbehere with 30 seconds remaining in the third period. Vlasic skated off the ice with help from trainers.
Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said he doubts Vlasic will travel for the game at the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
"As bad as it looked and as bad as it probably is, I've got my fingers crossed," DeBoer said. "The initial reports are that [they] don't believe it's that serious. So that's good."
Marleau knocked the puck past Mason from close range for a power-play goal. It was his 10th goal of the season and 491st in the NHL, tied for 46th with Jean Ratelle. It also was Marleau's 95th game-winning goal; he passed Steve Yzerman for ninth place.

Goal of the game

Braun used his speed to get behind the Flyers then took a cross-ice pass from Pavelski and lifted a wrist shot past Stolarz.

Save of the game

With 11:01 left in the second period, Dell made a glove save on Braden Schenn's wrist shot from the left circle while Simmonds was trying to provide a screen in front.

Unsung performance of the game

Forward Melker Karlsson had four of San Jose's 18 blocked shots.

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Highlight of the game

Mason stopped Vlasic's point shot, but forward Kevin Labanc got his stick on the rebound, and Marleau scored on a wrist shot.
The Sharks were 5-for-41 on the power player in their previous 10 games. DeBoer, searching for a spark, moved Joel Ward to the top unit and dropped Marleau to the second.
"Obviously they're looking to give it a kick-start and hopefully it will work out," Marleau said.

They said it

"It's just a mental approach. You just have to be ready. Any time I get an opportunity I want to go out there and show I can play at this high level." -- Flyers goaltender Anthony Stolarz

"He was a big part of my career, did a lot to get me to where I am today. It's probably good for him to see, as well, because he kind of brought me here." -- Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell on getting a shutout in his first game against Flyers coach Dave Hakstol, who was his coach at the University of North Dakota

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Need to know

Sharks defenseman David Schlemko returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous three games. ... Flyers rookie forward Travis Konecny was a healthy scratch for the first time after 37 games played. ... Flyers forward Michael Raffl returned to the lineup after missing one game with a knee injury. ... Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas (upper body) was scratched and is day to day.

What's next

Flyers: At the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, CSN-PH, PRIME, NHL.TV)
Sharks:At the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET; CSN-CA, FS-W, NHL.TV)