Burns, Dell propel Sharks to win against Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. - Brent Burns had a goal and an assist, and Aaron Dell made 29 saves to give the San Jose Sharks a 3-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Sunday.

Timo Meier and Chris Tierney also scored for the Sharks (28-16-8), who have won two in a row after a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).
"The biggest thing is that guys were ready to play," Joe Pavelski said. "These one o'clock games are fun to play. Guys were just mentally prepared to engage, and I think you saw it right away. You get the lead early, and it allowed us to stay to our game plan."
WATCH: [All Sharks vs. Hurricanes highlights]
Sebastian Aho scored, and Cam Ward made 23 saves for the Hurricanes (24-21-8), who lost their second straight game after a three-game winning streak.

"I don't know if it's a character issue or what it is," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "That effort today is unacceptable, period. The effort and the intensity we played at was similar to something you would see at a neutral site game in September. I'm not happy. I'm very disappointed in some of the guys you count on. Very disappointed.
"This lineup has been together a little bit here. Maybe there's some complacency there. (The lineup) will be different Tuesday. There's three healthy bodies who can go in, and if it's not those three, there's a group down in Charlotte (in the American Hockey League). You can't put that group out again after that."
Meier gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 4:06 of the first period when he received a pass from Joonas Donskoi in the slot and scored on a one-timer.
Aho tied it at 1-1 at 17:58 after a San Jose turnover. Daniel O'Regan passed it into the middle of the Sharks defensive zone, and Jordan Staal intercepted the puck, quickly passing to Aho who beat Dell from in close.

Aho has 12 goals in the past 15 games.
Tierney made it 2-1 at 19:24 on a backhand shot from in front of the net after Melker Karlsson passed to him from the corner.
"I'm surprised how much time I had," Tierney said. "We try to make plays in the corner and lose guys and create space for ourselves. We're rolling around down there and got loose a couple times and made them pay."
The Sharks extended the lead to 3-1 after Burns held Carolina's clearing attempt in at the blue line before sending a wrist shot through a screen and under the crossbar at 2:03 of the second period.
"We had lots of support tonight," said Dell, who had allowed 11 goals in his past two starts. "Guys were coming in and giving the other guys options. We didn't really give up a whole lot and we got out of our zone pretty easily all night."

Goal of the game

Burns' goal at 2:03 of the second period.

Save of the game

Ward's save on Joel Ward at 8:42 of the first period.

Highlight of the game

Tierney's goal at 19:24 of the first period.

They said it

"I thought we played a real good road game. Got the start we wanted, and that kind of set the tone. We knew they would push back and when they did, Dell was great. So, if you can have a formula for winning on the road in a tough place to play, that's it." -- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer
"A little bit embarrassing to be honest. We're going to want to play a full game if we want to compete in this league. I don't know if it's the pressure or not, but at some point, something's got to give here in Carolina." -- Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal

Need to know

Burns has 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in his past 16 games… Justin Braun played in his 500th NHL game… The Hurricanes play seven of their next eight games at home.

What's next

Sharks: At the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, ALT, NHL.TV)
Hurricanes: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, FS-CR, NHL.TV)