Joe Pavelski netted the lone shootout goal as San Jose edged Columbus, 4-3, and joined Anaheim atop the Pacific Division standings.
A fourth consecutive win gave the Sharks 93 points, matching a Ducks team that is winless in four straight games (0-2-2).
Pavelski used a move to the backhand and beat Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on the stick side to conclude the second round. San Jose netminder Alex Stalock didn't have to make a third save as the puck rolled off the stick of Cam Atkinson.
Patrick Marleau scored two goals and Stalock stopped 35 shots for San Jose, which avoided losing four in a row on the road against Columbus.
Bobrovsky was beaten three times on 27 shots as the Blue Jackets had their home winning streak snapped at five games. The point gained, however, is valuable with the team in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
[SportsNetwork.com]
