Martin Jones made 24 saves, Joe Thornton scored the game-clinching goal late in the third period, and the San Jose Sharks shutout the Washington Capitals 3-0 at Verizon Center on Tuesday.

The Sharks began a long, six-game road trip on the right foot.

Labanc made his NHL debut after being recalled by the Sharks on Monday.

“He’s excited, and we’re excited to get a look at him,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. “He’s earned the right to be here. He’s gone down there and after a great camp he’s followed it up with a great start and deserves a chance to get up here and play.”

Labanc made a push for a roster spot with the Sharks during training camp with four points in five preseason games. He was assigned to the San Jose Barracuda on Oct. 11, and responded with seven points in his first four games.

The Sharks outshot the Capitals 9-4 in the first frame.

Following a scoreless first period, San Jose wasted little time getting on the board in the second. The Sharks’ defense helped to make Jones comfortable by tallying two goals in a span of a little more than five minutes.

The Sharks took a 1-0 lead at 12:23 when a shot by Marc-Edouard Vlasic went off the stick of defenseman Karl Alzner before beating Capitals goalie Braden Holtby on the stick side.

Brent Burns handled the puck near the circle and ripped a firm wrist shot past Holtby for his fifth goal of the season, putting the Sharks up 2-0 with 2:34 left in the second.

The Sharks scored twice for a 2-0 advantage and held a 18-14 edge in shots in the second frame.

Joe Thornton fired a long range wrist shot into the empty to extend the Sharks’ lead to 3-0 with 1:32 left in regulation.

The Sharks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Capitals.

Jones made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season and second straight at the Verizon Center. Holtby made 20 saves in the loss.

Up Next
The Sharks head to BB&T Center where they will face the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on CSCA, FSFL.