By Pearl Allison Lo

(Photo by RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

~ San Jose kicked off their five game road trip with their first win of December, defeating the Montreal Canadiens, 3-1 Tuesday.

The Sharks avoided a shutout like last game, and even more so, ended their six-game losing streak in strong fashion.

Three goals were enough this time, as San Jose achieved all even strength goals halfway through the game with an efficient 12 shots. They ended up with 18 shots.

The Sharks are now 12-0 when leading after two, as Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News mentioned they were 11-0 during the game.

Meanwhile, the scoring woes continued for the Canadians, as they were held to two goals or less for the eighth straight game.

Barclay Goodrow, who was recalled before the game, got into a fight at 16:44 of the first, with former Shark Torrey Mitchell, who returned from injury.

A 2-on-1 with Joel Ward and Patrick Marleau led to San Jose’s first goal at 17:34. Justin Braun had the second assist.

Shots were 10 to 3 in favor of the Canadiens after one.

Initially credited to Braun, Joe Pavelski made it 2-0, 36 seconds into the second period.

Dainius Zubrus continued his success in Montreal and got his first goal with the Sharks by tricking goalie Dustin Tokarski at 9:19. Zubrus was aided by Pavelski and Joe Thornton. That goal spelled the end for Tokarski as he left for goalie Mike Condon.

The Canadiens got their goal late in the second period at 17:24, after Dale Weise’s shot deflected off Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The third period was similar to the first as Montreal had nine shots while San Jose was held to two shots and the Canadiens had another power play.

Game notes: The Sharks outhit Montreal 38-18 and outblocked them 28-11, Vlasic with five of those blocks. Vlasic also had the most ice time for San Jose with 23:59. San Jose’s Tommy Wingels had a game-high seven hits. The Sharks’ Tomas Hertl did not play due to a lower body injury. San Jose will play the second game of their road trip at 4:30pm Thursday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.