San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) is congratulated by teammate Justin Braun after the team’s 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Jerry Feitelberg Sports Radio Service staff

SAN JOSE–Something had to give Thursday night at the SAP Center, with the pointless San Jose Sharks squaring off against the winless Buffalo Sabres. The home team would ultimately prevailing thanks to something they hope will be a calling card this season; scoring depth. The Sharks received a goal each from third-liners Chris Tierney and Timo Meier while second line wing Tomas Hertl potted his first goal of the season as well for Team Teal. Jason Pominville scored a pair of goals in the Sabres 3-2 loss, while superstar center Jack Eichel notched the primary assist on both goals.

The Sharks are struggling to replace the goal-scoring void left when Patrick Marleau and his 508 career goals departed San Jose for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason. After two games, the Sharks boasted just four goals while being outscored 9-4. The third line remedied that with a two-goal, six-point night.

The power play unit would be responsible for the first goal after Tomas Hertl planted himself on the far post. A Kevin Labanc shot-pass from the right side of goaltender Robin Lehner landed on Hertl’s stick for the easy, guiding redirection for a 1-0 2:15 into play. Mikkel Boedker also picked up an assist on the play.

The Sabres would answer back after Jack Eichel dropped a pass into the slot that landed on Pominville’s stick for a dangerous area one-timer. Pominville, the veteran of 908 NHL games, buried his shot for his third goal of the season with 7:34 left in the first.

Tierney , centering the third line with Joel Ward scratched, made the most of his promotion by giving the Sharks a 2-1 lead just under three minutes later, with San Jose heading into the locker room for the first intermission up a goal.

Another piece of deft passing from Eichel pulled Buffalo even. Eichel feathered a pass just past two San Jose sticks to Pominville on the far side of the ice 6:50 into the middle period. Some time would pass before Meier, playing in his second NHL season, would beat Lehner with 5:30 left in the period. Linemates Joonas Donskoi (two assists) and Chris Tierney (one goal, one assist) each nabbed a point on the play.

Neither team scored in the third, with Martin Jones stopping the scant five Buffalo shots he faced in the period for a game total of 23 saves. After a rough two games to open the year, Jones appeared closer to his usual self. Something the Sharks hope will carry over to Saturday’s match-up against the New York Islanders.