ANAHEIM – After the All-Star break, checking the standings becomes a much more frequent exercise across the NHL.
Those standings got a little tighter on Tuesday at Honda Center, as the Ducks beat the Sharks, 3-2, in the first game after the break for both clubs.
Surging Anaheim, which won its fourth in a row and fifth in its last six, trails the second place Sharks by three points with a game in hand.
San Jose lost for the first time in regulation since Jan. 7, a span of 11 games (8-1-2).
The Ducks opened up a 3-1 second period lead they would not surrender.