By Ivan Makarov

SAN JOSE, CA — After splitting the series against their division rival Anaheim Ducks with a win and a loss, and ending it on a bad note, having suffered 6-3 loss in their last game, San Jose Sharks looked to redeem themselves against Edmonton Oilers back in San Jose on Thursday night. Coach Todd McLellan even addressed the team after a big loss, hoping to send a message to the team after allowing six goals.

San Jose proved they are a better team than Edmonton both through how they played and on the scoreboard, rebounding after poor play in Southern California on New Years Eve. Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau, Bracken Kearns, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski scored for the Sharks, while Nail Yakupov scored for the Oilers in what ended as the home team sailed to a comfortable 5-1 win.

The game was never close, as Sharks got up 4-0 lead before the game was even half way over. They played a good game for most of the 60 minutes, and were all smiles in the locker room after the game – both the players and the coaches.

“We were ready to go as soon as the puck dropped,” said Sharks captain Joe Thornton. “For a full 60 we kept the pressure on and dictated a pace of the game. We are a team that when we lose one, we’d like to get back to the next one. We proved that tonight.”

Todd McLellan was likewise positive after the game, saying he felt his message after the loss to the Anahaim got through to the players. “Our role players played pretty good roles tonight. You saw shots blocked. There was some physicality. They won battles. We checked well, so that was a good sign. Then the go-to offensive guys were productive as well. It was a good effort.”

Sharks did not get the quick goals like they used to in many home games this season to kick things off, as they looked a bit rusty in the very beginning. But things started to click for them as the first period progressed. Sharks had no trouble entering the zone and setting up, and the goals came with time.

Brent Burns scored his 13th goal of the season at 14:37 mark after receiving a good setup from Joe Pavelski who saw Burns wide open to his right. Shortly after that goal, Patrick Marleau made it 2-0 as he stripped the puck from Nail Yakupov, whose defensive struggles are well documented this season by the media and his league worst -25 stat this season before this game. Sharks former captain zipped right past the Oilers defense and capped the play with a hard wrist shot past Devan Dubnyk.

Oilers did not put too much fight after that, but the Sharks kept pushing forward and had most of the scoring chances, which resulted in two more goals. Bracken Kearns continued his hot streak, scoring his third goals in just four games in the second period at 7:18 mark.

A minute later another defensive misread in the neutral zone gave Logan Couture a chance to shine on a clear breakaway, and also to continue his scoring streak at three games in a row. Sharks forward picked up the speed, and left Dubnyk no chance to make a save with his signature wrister into the top corner.  That kind of a goal came timely for Logan, as Team Canada is finalizing their roster for the Winter Olympic game in Sochi, which will be announced next Tuesday, with Logan no doubt improving his chances to make the team with plays like this.

Oilers went on to score on Antti Niemi as the embattled Yakupov made it 4-1 towards the end of the second period on a wrist shot in front of Antti Niemi. Russian forward celebrated his seventh goal of the season with quite the passion, getting on his knee and fist pumping. But Sharks are one of the best home teams in the league this season, and they just kept on doing what worked for them all game long – good forecheck, physical game, fast transitions and solid defense against young but struggling Edmonton team. That turned out to be enough to score another goal later in the third period, and seal 5-1 victory.

Sharks will play the next three games on the road in Denver, Nashville and Chicago before returning to face the Red Wings at home.