Hockey: Sharks get revenge for playoff ouster, spoil Ducks' home opener

ANAHEIM - The San Jose Sharks had little trouble getting on track against the Anaheim Ducks this time.

With Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton each scoring first period goals, Dany Heatley adding two assists and Evgeni Nabokov making 24 saves the Sharks quickly spoiled the Ducks season opener with a dominating 4-1 victory on Saturday night.

Rookie Benn Ferriero and Devin Setoguchi also scored for the Sharks.

Ryan Whitney ended Nabokov's hopes for his 47th career shutout with a goal midway through the third period.

Skating after a 5-2 opening night loss at Colorado Thursday, San Jose responded with a strong effort against the Ducks, who eliminated the President Trophy winning Sharks in the opening round of the playoffs last spring.

That playoff defeat, the latest of many postseason tanks by the Sharks, led to some rethinking and roster tinkering in the Bay Area, including a September trade that brought Heatley to San Jose from Ottawa.

The former 50-goal scorer finished minus 3 in his Sharks debut at Colorado. His biggest impact against the Ducks Saturday actually began after being whistled for tripping Anaheim defensean Luca Sbisa with 3:47 left in the first period.

On the ensuing Ducks power play, Marleau blocked a point-shot by Whitney and outraced the Anaheim defender for the puck at center before sweeping a backhand shot past goalie Jonas Hiller for his third goal of the season.

Heatley then got into act. Seconds after exiting the penalty box, he jumped into a 2-on-1 rush with Thornton, feathering a return pass to the skilled center who also swept a low backhand shot past Hiller for a sudden 3-0 Sharks advantage.

Early in the second, Heatley and Thornton set up Setoguchi for a power play goal and the Sharks were well in control, outshooting Anaheim 17-2 in the period.

The Pacific Division rivals combined for two fighting majors and four minor penatlies in the opening five minutes before Ferriero scored his first NHL goal, whisking a back-hand rebound past Hiller during a delayed penalty call 7:30 into the game.

Ferriero played at Boston College last season. After signing a two-year contract with San Jose in August he secured a job with the Sharks by tying for the team lead with 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in the preseason.

Fellow rookies Jason Demers and Fraxer McLaren assisted on the goal, also earning their first NHL points.