Recap: San Jose vs. Columbus

By Sports Network

San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Joe Thornton's third-period goal was the difference, and the San Jose Sharks secured the best record in NHL history after 26 games with a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Sharks now stand at 22-3-1 for 45 points, which is slightly better than the 44 points posted by both the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings, both of whom made the Stanley Cup Finals; however, only the Red Wings captured the championship.

Jeremy Roenick and Patrick Marleau also scored for the Sharks, who have won nine straight and have recorded at least a point in 10 straight games. San Jose is now 14-0-1 at home and is the only team in the league without a home regulation loss.

Evgeni Nabokov saved 29 shots in the victory.

Rick Nash and Fredrik Modin tallied for the Blue Jackets, who snapped a two- game win streak. Steve Mason allowed three goals on 22 shots in the loss.

Headed into the third tied at one, the Sharks finally managed to go ahead early in the stanza, as Roenick grabbed a rebound out in front and put it over Mason's left shoulder just 44 seconds into the final frame.

But the Blue Jackets tied the game three minutes later, as Modin emerged from the boards with the puck and beat Nabokov past his left pad for the goal.

Thornton was able to bat the puck out of midair past Mason at 7:41, restoring the lead for good for the Sharks at 3-2.

The Blue Jackets had a power play and also pulled the goalie in the final minute, giving the team a 6-on-4 advantage. But the visitors couldn't find the back of the net, and San Jose hung on for the win.

Columbus got on the board late in the first period, as Nash's wrister beat Nabokov. Kristian Huselius got his 10th assist of the season on the play.

After a futile attempt on a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage, the Sharks got a power play goal late in the second period to tie the game. Marleau got credit for the goal on his backhand shot, which was assisted by Dan Boyle and Marc- Edouard Vlasic at 14:57.

San Jose had another excellent chance with 2:50 left in the period, but Mason grabbed the puck as it sat on the goal-line.