SAN JOSE — Kevin Labanc celebrated his 200th NHL game the right way: scoring an overtime winner that propelled the Sharks into first place in the Western Conference.
By completing their four-game homestand with a perfect record, the Sharks leapfrogged the Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division standings, erasing a seven-point deficit in just nine days. In the process, Joe Thornton moved into a tie with Stan Mikita for 14th place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list by potting his 1,467th career point with an assist on the Sharks first goal.
With just 14 games left on the schedule, the Sharks are giving themselves a shot to earn home-ice advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, drawing a wild card team in the opening round instead of facing the Vegas Golden Knights and Vezina Trophy candidate Marc-André Fleury.