The San Jose Sharks' third line made the most of every shift in their Game 1 match-up with the Avalanche on Friday night.
The combination of Joe Thornton, Kevin Labanc and Marcus Sorensen posted five points from three goals in the final 10 minutes of the second period in the Sharks' 5-2 win over Colorado.
Thorton ignited the action when he fired a laser past Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer off a pass from Sorensen to tie the game. Labanc gave the Sharks the lead six minutes later with a powerful wrist shot he created for himself by smoothly slipping the puck between the legs of Mikko Rantanen. Brent Burns notched the assist on Labanc's goal for his 49th playoff point for San Jose, the most in team history.
Make that 49 points for @Burnzie88.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 27, 2019
He's established a franchise record for playoff points by a @SanJoseSharks defenseman. #NHLStats #StanleyCup https://t.co/Xe7Swpjhlu
Burns added to his historic point total with a minute remaining in the second frame with a goal assisted by Sorensen and Thornton. The helper makes Thornton the 24th player in NHL history with at least 100 assists in the postseason.
Joe Thornton became the 24th player in NHL history - and third active skater - to record at least 100 career postseason assists. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/4FZbExYSZT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 27, 2019
The line combined for 11 points over the Sharks' seven-game series with Vegas in the first round and already has nearly half that after one game in the second round. They will look to build on their performance in Game 2 on April 28.