SAN JOSE, Calif., March 4 (UPI) -- Dany Heatley scored twice Thursday and Antti Niemi made 26 saves in bringing the San Jose Sharks a 3-1 decision over Detroit.
The Sharks won their eighth straight game in a late-season rush that has seen them open some space from the pack of Western Conference teams battling for the final five playoff positions.
San Jose climbed within three points of Detroit for second place in the West and is seven points behind conference-leading Vancouver. The Red Wings lost their second in a row.
Heatley opened the scoring 3:51 into the game but Tomas Holmstrom tied it with a power-play goal late in the first period. Heatley then gave the Sharks the lead for good by scoring on the power play 3:54 into the second.
Patrick Marleau added his 25th goal of the season with 4:12 remaining in the third period.
San Jose has not lost a home game in almost two months.
Joey MacDonald suffered the loss, giving up three goals on 28 shots.
