NHL: San Jose 4, Phoenix 3 (SO)

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 25 (UPI) -- Michal Handzus and Ryane Clowe scored in a shootout Saturday and the San Jose Sharks kept pace in the Western Conference with a 4-3 victory over Phoenix.

Daniel Winnik, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns scored in regulation for the Sharks, who improved to 86 points and remained in ninth place in the West -- one point away from the conference's final post-season berth with seven games to play.

Antti Niemi turned aside 25 shots as San Jose posted a second straight win.

Phoenix, meanwhile, fell into a tie with Dallas atop the Pacific Division with 87 points.

The Coyotes got goals from Lauri Korpikoski, Derek Morris and Daymond Langkow scored. Mike Smith made 29 saves in the losing effort.