Sharks near President's Trophy as Oilers flail in fight for playoff lives

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• NHL Update: Western Conference
• Sharks Top Oilers, 2-1

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Game Information

Arena: Rexall Place Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Referees: Dennis LaRue, Chris Lee Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Mark Wheler

Attendance: 16,839 (100.0% full)

Team Stat Comparison
251	Goals	228
199	Goals Against	244
87	Power Play Goals	60
51	Power Play Goals Allowed	76
12	Shorthanded Goals	3
11	Shorthanded Goals Allowed	8
1053	Penalty Minutes	1247
13	Average Penalty Minutes	15

Scoring Summary
1ST PERIOD			SAN	EDM
0:52		Jonathan Cheechoo Assists: Jeremy Roenick, Rob Blake	1	0
2ND PERIOD			SAN	EDM
8:16		Dan Boyle (Power Play) Assists: Joe Pavelski, Christian Ehrhoff	2	0
18:18		Sam Gagner (Power Play) Assists: Robert Nilsson, Dustin Penner	2	1
3RD PERIOD			SAN	EDM
No scoring this period			2	1

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Evgeni Nabokov and the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks moved a step closer to their first Presidents' Trophy as the regular-season points champion.

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Nabokov made 25 saves for his 40th victory of the season, and Jonathan Cheechoo and Dan Boyle scored in San Jose's 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

At 51-15-11, San Jose matched the franchise victory record set in 2006-07. Nabokov improved to 40-9-8 and helped the Sharks push their points total to 113 -- three more than Eastern Conference leader Boston and six ahead of Detroit.

"We do care about the points, but we care more about the way we play," Nabokov said. "With a lot of guys out of the lineup we have to tidy it up a little bit. We have to be disciplined and that's what we are right now. "

Sam Gagner scored for Edmonton, tied for 10th in the Western Conference. The Oilers have lost three straight and six of their last seven.

"It's disappointing," Gagner said. "The battle level and the intensity were there. The guys were working hard and creating a lot of chances. Obviously at this time it comes down to results though. We aren't out of anything yet and we have to pick ourselves up for the next game."

Fast Facts

• Dan Boyle and Jonathan Cheechoo had goals for the Sharks, who improved to 3-0-1 against the Oilers this season.

• Boyle's goal came on a power play -- the Sharks have had nine straight games with at least one power-play goal.

• Edmonton has lost three straight and six of seven overall.

• The Sharks won their 51st game of the season and tied a franchise high for wins from the 2006-07 season.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

Cheechoo opened the scoring at 52 seconds of the first period, ducking behind Joe Thornton and using him as a screen on goalie Dwayne Roloson.

Boyle made it 2-0 on a power-play rebound at 8:16 of the second.

"It was a simple road win," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "I don't know that we were at our best. I thought Edmonton threw everything they had us. They came very hard. We had to be very prepared."

Gagner scored on a power play with 1:42 left in the second.

Game notes
Defenseman Rob Blake and forward Marcel Goc both returned to San Jose's lineup. In their last outing against Calgary, the Sharks were missing nine players due to injury. Among those still on the mend for San Jose are forwards Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe. ... Roloson made his 34th consecutive start. ... Sharks center Joe Pavelski extended his scoring streak to seven games with a second-period assist.