~ Photo credit: NHL.com/NBC Sports California

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ As San Jose played their third road game in the last four days, the Sharks prevailed against a heavy New York Rangers’ attack Monday.

Goalie Martin Jones made a season-high 33 saves against a season-high 34 shots faced. He posted his second highest save percentage of the season. Jones and San Jose had to kill six penalties, including a 5-on-3. They have now been successful facing their last 18 power plays.

Seasoned and new players combined for success as the Sharks’ Logan Couture stayed hot (four goals, five points in last two games), Tim Heed scored his first NHL goal and Joe Thornton made #20 on the all-time points chart.

In the first period, the Rangers had double the amount of shots (16-8). San Jose also scored the most goals in this period (two) while facing their most penalties (four).

Couture began where he left off last game, scoring his seventh goal less than two minutes into the game, aided by Brent Burns and Mikkel Boedker.

New York’s best chance came on a power play by Ryan McDonagh, but the puck hit the post.

Heed then added to the lead at 12:45, helped by Tomas Hertl and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The 5-on-3 came during the intersection of the last two penalties of the period.

Goals number three and four came during the final minute of the second and under the three minute mark of the third. Joonas Donskoi was assisted by the two Joe’s, Thornton and Pavelski and Melker Karlsson was aided by Couture. The assist by Couture was his 200th.

New York avoided their first shutout of the season, when Mika Zibanejad scored his sixth goal at 4:23, helped by Pavel Buchnevich.

Game notes: In their last seven games, Rangers’ opponents have scored at least two goals. The Sharks have scored at least three goals apiece in their last four games. Three of them have been won by three, all wins. San Jose will play road game number four out of five versus the Boston Bruins Thursday at 4pm.