Nylander scored 49 seconds into the second period to extend it to 2-0 on a snap shot from the right circle off a stretch pass by Ivan Provorov to become the first player to score seven goals in his first 11 games for the Blue Jackets.
Vincent said of Nylander: “The first time he got here my message to him was, ‘I want to see you compete. I want to see you skate. And when you have a chance, shoot the puck.’ What I didn't know was his brain. He has a good brain. He can read the game offensively and defensively. I rely quite a bit on him defensively as well. So, we wanted to give him a chance and he's taken advantage of it.”
Zetterlund cut it to 2-1 at 11:48 off a rebound after Mario Ferraro’s shot deflected off the stick of Provorov to him at the crease.
Gaudreau pushed it to 3-1 at 15:03. Nylander’s shot from between the circles went wide-right of the net, but Gaudreau was there to stop the puck and stuff it in.
Thrun made it 3-2 at 11:32 of the third period with a wrist shot from between the circles to end an 18-game goal drought, but the Sharks could not get another one past Tarasov.
“He stood up and kept us in that game, and ultimately won the game for us,” Gaudreau said.
Nylander scored into an empty net at 18:55 for the 4-2 final.
NOTES: Nylander has 11 points (eight goals, three assists) with the Blue Jackets. … Patrik Laine (2021) and Antoine Vermette (2009) each had six goals in his first 10 games with Columbus. … Goaltender Devin Cooley is expected to make his NHL debut for the Sharks at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.