San Jose Moves Closer to Title

Vesa Toskala had 30 saves for his first shutout in nearly a year, and the San Jose Sharks moved closer to winning the Pacific Division with a 3-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday night at Glendale, Ariz.

Toskala’s last shutout was March 27, 2003, against the Detroit Red Wings.

Vincent Damphousse had a goal and an assist for San Jose, which opened a five-point lead over idle Dallas in the division race with its 40th victory. With 98 points, the Sharks are one point shy of the franchise record set in 2001-02.

Phoenix goalie Brian Boucher hasn’t won in 13 starts (0-10-3) since Feb. 14 and is 3-16-6 since he got the last of his modern-era record five consecutive shutouts Jan. 9.

New Jersey 5, Atlanta 0 -- Rookie Scott Clemmensen made 18 saves for his second road shutout, helping the Devils, 1-2-1 in their last four games, move within a point of fifth-place Ottawa and four points ahead of seventh-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference.

Clemmensen has made only four starts this season as Martin Brodeur’s backup, and he has three victories and two shutouts. In his first NHL appearance Jan. 20, he had a 3-0 shutout in Pittsburgh.

Buffalo 5, Pittsburgh 1 -- The victory at home helped the Sabres climb within six points of the New York Islanders for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres ended a nine-game winless streak (1-7-2) against the Penguins.

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Islander forward Jason Blake will be sidelined for at least a month after spraining an ankle during Thursday night’s 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Coach Steve Stirling said Blake, a former King who has 22 goals and 47 points, will probably be out well into the second round of the playoffs, if the team advances that far.