San Jose Sharks

The Sharks again successfully met a difficult challenge -- winning games on back-to-back nights against an elite team from the East (Philadelphia) and a desperate team playing at home (Anaheim) -- to further solidify their standing as the best team in the league.

That's an impressive accomplishment early considering all the scrutiny the team faced in the offseason after another playoff disappointment. San Jose has picked right up where it left off while winning the Presidents' Trophy last season, but the Sharks seem to be doing it in a different manner.

"We have a lot of flavor on our team this year. It's not all vanilla," forward Ryane Clowe said. "Guys want to make an impact in different ways, guys want to do things in different ways. Our penalty kill has been outstanding. Every loose puck at the blue line is out now. It's been a little bit different."

Early last season, the Sharks were dominating opponents, racking up big shot totals and just cruising along. This season it's been more of a grind-'em-out feel. The one constant has been the outstanding goaltending being provided by Evgeni Nabokov.

"Sometimes the luck is on your side," Nabokov said. "I always want to give the team a chance. When things are going well it's easy to play, but when things are not going well is when you want to step in as a goalie and help out."

SHARKS 3, DUCKS 2: Joe Thornton broke a 2-2 tie with a goal 8:49 into the third period as San Jose's top line stayed hot during a win at Anaheim.

A night after combining for eight points in a win over Philadelphia, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau and Thornton teamed up for five more points to beat their division rivals. Heatley scored his league-leading 18th goal midway through the second period and set up Thornton's game-winning goal. Marleau's three-game goal streak ended, but he chipped in an assist.

• Rookie forward Logan Couture had flu-like symtoms (H1N1 has been ruled out) following Friday night's game against Philadelphia and did not travel to Anaheim for Saturday's game. C Ryan Vesce was called up from Worcester of the AHL and suited up against the Ducks.

• Asked following his first career fight what sparked the altercation with Danny Briere, Sharks D Marc-Eduard Vlasic said it started when the two teams met earlier in Philly and continued Friday night in San Jose. "I'm not looking for it. It just happened," Vlasic told the San Jose Mercury News.

  Did his teammates seem inspired by his aggressive act? "Guys are excited when new guys fight," Vlasic told the paper. "Most of the guys said good job and even (Jody) Shelley said he was surprised, too. When somebody does something unexpected, sure, guys notice it."

  Coach Todd McLellan supported Vlasic's actions. "I think that Marc-Edouard plays a very good game for us, and there will be times this season he has to stick up for himself. We're proud of him for doing that as well," McLellan said.

Quote To Note:

"A pair of rivals are playing, points to both teams are important and the playoff last year between these two teams intensified the rivalry. We knew this would be a grumpy group coming in, and I think our guys did a good job."

Goaltenders:

Evgeni Nabokov, Thomas Greiss.

Defensemen:

Dan Boyle, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Douglas Murray, Kent Huskins, Jason Demers, Derek Joslin

First Line:

Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley

Second Line:

Ryane Clowe, Joe Pavelski, Manny Malhotra

Third Line:

Jed Ortmeyer, Scott Nichol, Jamie McGinn

Fourth Line:

Frazer McLaren, Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero

Player Notes:

• LW Dany Heatley scored his league-leading 18th goal on Saturday and has seven goals in his last six games.

• C Joe Thornton scored the game-winning goal Saturday night in Anaheim midway through the final period. Thornton added an assist along with six shots on goal and eight faceoff wins during 20:25 of ice time.

• RW Jed Ortmeyer didn't score a goal Saturday night, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. Ortmeyer, who contributed an assist, put a team-high seven shots on goal and had another seven judged off the net.

Medical Watch:

• RW Devin Setoguchi (lower-body injury) was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, retroactive to Nov. 15, when he re-injured himself. It's unknown when Setoguchi will return.

• F Brad Staubitz (facial injury) got hit by a puck below the right eye in practice on Monday and didn't play Tuesday in Nashville. He is out indefinitely.

• D Rob Blake (shoulder) has resumed skating and is shooting to return to the lineup after Thanksgiving, when the Sharks next head out on the road.

• C Torrey Mitchell (tendinitis left knee) is on a conditioning assignment with Worcester of the AHL and is awaiting promotion, which has to occur no later than Nov. 24 according to rules that limit players to two weeks' time in the minors or risk getting exposed to waivers.

• LW Jody Shelley (general soreness) has resumed skating with his teammates and hopes to return to action when the team travels to Canada after Thanksgiving.