SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Markus Naslund and Sergei Nemchinov scored third-period goals and Kirk McLean stopped 24 shots as the Vancouver Canucks kept their slim playoff hopes alive Monday with a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Vancouver moved within four points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference but would have to close the season with home wins against the Phoenix Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers.
"They've shown that they're a proud group of people," Canucks coach Tom Renney said. "They've also shown that they're a team, contrary to what other people might think."
"We've got four points up for grabs, and hopefully we can depend on a couple of other teams to do us a favor," McLean said.
With the game tied 2-2 and just under 11 minutes left in regulation, Nemchinov rifled a slap shot off the right post that hit off Sharks goaltender Kelly Hrudey's back and trickled towards the goal line. Defenseman Greg Hawgood dove on the puck to keep it from going in but it squirted over the line for the go-ahead goal.
"Serge shot it, and I saw it hit the post, and it looked like it hit Rudy in the back," said Canucks center Scott Walker, who was credited with an assist on the play. "Maybe Hawgood didn't want to cover it with his hand and get a penalty. It was way over the line."
Tony Granato and Ville Peltonen had goals for the Sharks, who played the final period without star winger Owen Nolan, who strained his groin. Peltonen's goal was his first since March 28, 1996.
The Canucks won four of six meetings with the Sharks this season, including two of three in San Jose.
"We certainly got no breaks tonight," Sharks coach Al Sims said. "There was one power play each. There weren't many penalties. It wasn't a real fiercely competitive game. We had chances in the first period to really bury Vancouver and we didn't."
Granato got the Sharks on the board just 2:43 into the contest with his 24th goal but Brian Noonan answered for Vancouver 63 seconds later with his 12th.
Peltonen scored on the power play 2:11 into the second period to put the Sharks on top. The lead lasted into the third period but the Canucks rallied to keep their post-season hopes alive.
Lonny Bohonos got the rally started 93 seconds into the final period when his slap shot from the point rebounded off Hrudey. The puck bounced onto the stick of Naslund, who was able to tap it into the vacated net for his 19th goal.
Hrudey finished with 20 saves for the Sharks.
Jon's 3 stars:
1. Lonny Bohonos
2. Martin Gelinas
3. Dallas Drake
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