Nabokov’s first shutout helps Sharks sneak past Senators for fifth straight

Evgeni Nabokov was relieved to get his first shutout of the season.

Nabokov made 40 saves for his 27th career shutout and Patrick Marleau and Nils Ekman scored to help the San Jose Sharks extend their winning streak to five games with a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night at Ottawa.

After sharing a shutout with rookie Nolan Schaefer last month, Nabokov got his first since March 31, 2004, when he set a franchise record with his ninth of the season.

“It feels great, but it feels even better that we got the win, we got the two points we need and we’re ready to move up,” Nabokov said.

Marleau beat Dominik Hasek on a breakaway in the second and Ekman finished off a 2-on-1 with Joe Thornton in the third, just moments after Nabokov gloved a rolling puck just in front of the goal line to keep San Jose ahead.

“That’s how it usually works in hockey, they almost score and we come back and bury that second goal,” Thornton said. “It was kind of a backbreaker for them, so it was a big goal for us.”

Rangers 5, Oilers 4 (OT): At New York, Jaromir Jagr snapped a shot past goalie Jussi Markkanen just 14 seconds into overtime to lift New York past Edmonton.

Red Wings 6, Flyers 3: At Detroit, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk scored twice each to lead Detroit to a win over Philadelphia in the only scheduled meeting between two of the NHL’s top teams.

Islanders 3, Flames 2: At Uniondale, N.Y., Rick DiPietro made 28 saves in his return to goal for New York to help Brad Shaw win his first game as an NHL head coach, at Calgary’s expense. Mark Parrish scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 7:44 to play.

Coyotes 2, Sabres 1 (SO): At Buffalo, N.Y., Geoff Sanderson scored the only goal in the shootout to give Phoenix a win over Buffalo.

Stars 4, Capitals 1: At Dallas, Jason Arnott had two goals and an assist, goaltender Marty Turco had 26 saves, and Dallas stretched its winning streak to five games with a victory over Washington.

Panthers 3, Blues 1: At Sunrise, Fla., Olli Jokinen and Joe Nieuwendyk scored in the first period, and Florida beat St. Louis for its eighth win in its last 10 games at home.

Kings 6, Bruins 0: At Boston, Alexander Frolov scored the second hat trick of his career, and Mathieu Garon stopped 30 shots to help Los Angeles blank Boston.

Off the ice

Not only do the New York Islanders have a new coach, they’re going to get a new general manager, too. A shake-up in the making finally occurred when assistant Brad Shaw replaced fired coach Steve Stirling, and GM Mike Milbury said he’ll step aside after helping owner Charles Wang pick a successor. … Mark Messier’s No. 11 was raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters, joining those of former New York Rangers teammate Mike Richter, and earlier stars Eddie Giacomin and Rod Gilbert.