SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Patrick Marleau scored two power play goals Thursday night as San Jose trounced the Detroit Red Wings, 5-1.
Milan Michalek, Mark Bell and Jonathan Cheechoo all scored once, also on the power play. Michalek, Christian Ehrhoff, Matt Carle and Joe Thornton all had two assists and goaltender Vesa Toskala was beaten only once on 21 shots for the Sharks (6-1-0), who assumed the lead over Dallas in the Pacific Division with 12 points.
Jiri Hudler scored the lone goal on the power play in the third period on assists by Mathieu Schneider and Johan Franzen, while goalies Chris Osgood and Joey McDonald combined to allow five goals on 22 shots for the Red Wings (3-3-1), who are third in the Central Division with seven points.
On the power play, San Jose was 5-for-13 and the Red Wings went 1-for-6.
San Jose added to the best start in franchise history.