Though the San Jose Sharks were out-shot heavily in the first period (17 to 6), they managed to keep the game tied going into the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal to match the goal of Niklas Kronwall less than two minutes prior. At 1-1 coming into the second period, the Sharks started to really pour it on. Joe Thornton, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Torrey Mutchell put the puck past Jimmy Howard in the second period, prompting the Detroit Red Wings to make the switch to backup Ty Conklin.
Brad Winchester would later add an insurance goal in the third period, and the Sharks were able to close out their six-game homestand with a winning record at 4-3 with their 5-2 win over Detroit. The Sharks were coming off a shutout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, while the Red Wings were coming off a loss to the St. Louis Blues, so both teams were working hard to get back into the win column.
Danny Cleary also scored for the Red Wings, with a power play goal late in the third, but the game was already out of reach at that point. The Sharks were out-shot 42-28, but Antti Niemi made 40 saves of 42 shots for a .952 save percentage. Howard finished 17-of-21, giving up four goals, and Conklin surrendered one goal off of seven shots.
Vlasic had four points on the night with one goal and three assists, taking part in all but one San Jose goal. The Sharks will next hit the road to take on the Dallas Stars on Saturday.