San Jose Sharks 6, Dallas Stars 1 (Game 79)

The Sharks (77-1-0) returned to the Shark Tank to face the Stars for the 6th and final time this season. The Sharks are 5-0-0 against the Stars this year, with Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) averaging less than 1 goal against per game against the Stars (Vesa Toskala played one game for the Sharks against the Stars allowed 4 goals on 51 shots in an 11-4 Sharks win). 

Alexander Korolyuk opened the scoring for the Sharks early in the first period on a backhand shot over Marty Turco (DAL) to give the Sharks the lead. Scott Thornton (SJ) followed up with a goal of his own by splitting the Dallas defense and backhanding a shot past Turco (DAL). Korolyuk (SJ) then scored on a one-time feed from Brad Stuart to give the Sharks a 3-0 lead midway through the 1st period. Braed Stuart (SJ) and Patrick Marleau (SJ) then broke through the Star's defense on a 2-on-0 and Stuart backhanded the fourth Sharks goal of the period past the outstretched arm of Marty Turco, giving the Sharks a 4-0 lead heading into the 2nd period. 

San Jose and Dallas traded shots and scoring opportunities early in the 2nd period until Dan McGillis (SJ) and Phillipe Boucher (DAL) dropped the gloves and Boucher dropped to the ice. Neither team scored and the Stars outshot the Sharks 12-10 by the 2nd intermission. 

Jere Lehtinen (DAL) intercepted an errant pass from Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) to bury the puck in an open net and cut the Sharks' lead to 4-1. Despite the mishap, Nabokov (SJ) redeemed himself later in the period by robbing Jason Arnott (DAL) on a shot from the slot with Jere Lehtinen (DAL) in front of the net. Sharks' captain Patrick Marleau then broke in and scored on a backhand goal to extend the Sharks' lead, and Mike Ricci (SJ) scored on a similar backhand goal to chase Marty Turco (DAL) and extend the Sharks' lead to 6-1. Teemu Selanne (SJ) then took an obstruction hooking penalty, giving the Stars a powerplay. The Sharks killed the powerplay with strong defensive play and outstanding goaltending from Nabokov to keep the score 6-1, which it remained up until the final whistle. 

The Stars outshot the Sharks 24-19, and the following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 

3) Patrick Marleau (SJ) registered 1 goal, 1 assist and +3 
2) Alexander Korolyuk (SJ) registered 2 goals, 0 assists and +2 
1) Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) stopped 23 of 24 shots on goal (95%)

Final Score:
Dallas Stars               1
San Jose Sharks       6

The Sharks will next travel to Los Angeles to face the Kings, whom the Sharks are 4-0-0 against this season. The game is scheduled to broadcast on Sunday, May 31st at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time.