The shutout was Ellis’ first of the season and second in the NHL.
Olen Zellweger and Zach Benson scored for the Sabres (5-4-3), who were 0-1-2 during their skid and had lost six of their past eight (2-3-3). Tage Thompson had an assist in his 500th career game with Buffalo.
Yaroslav Askarov made 38 saves for the Sharks (6-6-1), who have lost two in a row.
San Jose defenseman Michael Kesselring had three shots on goal in 16:25 of ice time in his first game against his former team. Kesselring was acquired from the Sabres on June 17, along with a first-round pick (No. 27) the 2026 NHL Draft, for the No. 20 pick in the draft.
Zellweger gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead just 50 seconds into the second period. The defenseman raced into the offensive zone on the left wing, and his wrist shot from the top of the left face-off circle beat Askarov by the blocker.
Benson outmuscled Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg to score an empty-net goal at 19:05 of the third period for the 2-0 final.
