Jones has 30-save shutout for Sharks in victory against Kings

LOS ANGELES -- Martin Jones made 30 saves for his 25th NHL shutout in the San Jose Sharks' 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Friday.

It was the first shutout this season for Jones, who is 4-1-0 against the Kings.
Rudolfs Balcers had a goal and two assists, and Brent Burns got his 500th NHL assist for the Sharks (16-16-4), who have won three in a row and five of seven.
"Winning is fun," Jones said. "We're playing a lot better as a team. I think guys are feeling more comfortable with our systems and settling into some roles, so it's been great. It's been a lot better, how we've been playing, and it makes my job a lot easier too."

Cal Petersen made 33 saves for the Kings (14-15-6), who are 3-7-0 in their past 10.
"We're creating a lot of chances," Los Angeles forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan said. "They're just not going in right now, so a couple of those go in and this could be a different conversation, different result. But at the end of the day, we've got to find a way to put those in the net and find a way to start winning hockey games again here."
The teams will play again here Saturday.
Tomas Hertl tipped Nikolai Knyzhov's shot from the point to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 2:57 of the first period.
Timo Meier made it 2-0 at 9:00 of the second period on a one-timer off a pass from Hertl. Kings coach Todd McLellan challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was confirmed following video review. Los Angeles was assessed a two-minute penalty for the unsuccessful challenge.
Sharks coach Bob Boughner said it was the best game Meier has played this season.
"I think he's taken it upon himself," Boughner said. "I know he's not had the best year statistically, but this is the most important time of the year right now and this is when you see your best players step up. You could tell the last couple of games he looks like he's more intent on the details of his game."

Dylan Gambrell appeared to give San Jose a 3-0 lead at 6:58 of the third period. McLellan challenged for offside, and the goal was overturned after video review showed Gambrell entered the zone ahead of the puck at 6:48.
Balcers scored into an empty net at 19:33 for the 3-0 final, with Burns getting his milestone assist.
The Kings are 0-3-0 in their past three games against the Sharks after going 1-0-1 in the first two games this season.
McLellan said a lack of execution on the power play is one reason for the recent lack of success. Los Angeles was 4-for-10 in the first two games and is 0-for-9 since, including 0-for-2 on Friday.
"When you play teams eight, potentially 12 times in one season in five months, you're going to get a pretty good idea of what they're doing," McLellan said. "It's going to get tougher to score power-play goals down the stretch simply because of that."
NOTES: Burns is the third active defenseman with 500 NHL assists (Duncan Keith, 520; Ryan Suter, 509). He is the 30th defenseman in NHL history with 500 assists and the 19th with at least 200 goals, 500 assists and 700 points. He has scored 715 points (215 goals, 500 assists) in 1,149 games in 17 seasons with the Sharks and Minnesota Wild. … It was the first three-point game and second multipoint game in the NHL for Balcers. … Jones, who played his first two NHL seasons with the Kings (2013-15), is 17-5-3 against them. … San Jose was 0-for-3 on the power play. Los Angeles has killed 28-of-29 penalties (96.6 percent) in its past 12 games.