Jones, Sharks shut out Devils

NEWARK, N.J. -- Martin Jones made 28 saves for his first shutout in almost a year, and the San Jose Sharks defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-0 at Prudential Center on Friday.

WATCH: [All Sharks vs. Devils highlights]
It was Jones' 16th NHL shutout, his first since a 4-0 win on 26 saves against New Jersey on Nov. 21.
"The Devils came out pretty hard; they're good around the net with quick plays, but I thought we were really good," Jones said. "Our penalty kill was very good again and that was probably the difference."
The Devils, who were tied for seventh in the NHL on the power play, went 0-for-5.
Melker Karlsson, Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi scored, and Justin Braun had two assists for the Sharks (3-3-0), who have won three of their past four games.
Keith Kinkaid made 30 saves for the Devils (6-2-0), who had a three-game winning streak end.
"I don't want to say they slowed us down, but they did a good job of creating turnovers," New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene said. "That falls on us a little bit. The way they play in the neutral zone forces you to do a lot of chips and having our weak side guy slash across and use our speed. We were a little stubborn and didn't do that as well and it fed right into their game."
San Jose scored twice in the second period to take a 3-0 lead. Pavelski scored his second goal of the season at 5:49 before Donskoi scored his first on a backhand at 18:50.
Karlsson scored his first of the season into the top right corner past Kinkaid 14:11 into the first period. Tomas Hertl made the play possible when he fought off a check from defenseman John Moore before finding Karlsson at the left post.

Jones stopped Drew Stafford 2:37 later with a pad save off a point-blank slap shot from the slot.
"Like most of the shots [on Friday], the guys did a good job around the net and I was able to see it and track it well," Jones said.

Goal of the game

Pavelski tipped in a shot by Braun from the right point. He dedicated the goal to his uncle Roger Patoka, who died Thursday.
"My uncle passed away and my family said to get a goal for him," Pavelski said. "… I don't think that goal should have actually gone in, so I'm sure Uncle Roger had a little bit to do with it."

Save of the game

With the Sharks leading 1-0 in the first period, Jones denied Stafford with 3:12 left as a Devils power play was ending.

Highlight of the game

Jones received a bit of good fortune 9:13 into the third period when, after losing his stick, he stopped a shot from the right point by Damon Severson with his pad before Jimmy Hayes missed an open net on the rebound when the puck hit Jones' stick on the ice.

They said it

"[Jones] is going to tell you we got the win and that's the biggest thing, and I think that's what we're worried about right now, those two points. Whether it's a tight game or high-scoring, if you win, everyone feels a little bit better. But it's good to see [Jones] rewarded with the shutout with all the big saves he had." -- Sharks captain Joe Pavelski
"We had a game plan, but I don't think we went out there and executed it, so credit to them. They played a pretty solid road game and capitalized on their opportunities, and we didn't have it. We didn't sustain enough offense and we had some penalty trouble that took some momentum away from us." -- Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri

Need to know

Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said backup goalie Aaron Dell will start Saturday at the New York Islanders. ... The Devils top line of left wing Taylor Hall, center Nico Hischier and right wing Drew Stafford, which had 13 points in the previous two games, combined for six shots on goal and was minus-6. ... The Devils placed goalie Cory Schneider (lower body) on injured reserve and recalled Scott Wedgewood from Binghamton of the American Hockey League on emergency conditions. … New Jersey has a six-day break before its next game.

What's next

Sharks: At the New York Islanders on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
Devils: Host the Ottawa Senators on Friday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, RDS2, TSN5, NHL.TV)