DENVER _ After a sluggish opening two periods in their fifth game in eight days, the San Jose Sharks had to dig deep to find one more reservoir of energy to pick up two points Monday against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Sharks had to look no further than the guy who has played more games in the NHL than anyone else on the roster.
Patrick Marleau had his first career four-goal game, with the first three coming in a span of 7:42, as the Sharks broke loose for a 5-2 win over the Avalanche at Pepsi Center.
Marleau scored at 2:53, 5:57 and the 10:35 marks of the third period, then finished his historic night with a breakaway goal with 3:37 to go as the Sharks picked up their season-high fifth straight win.
Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic each had assists on two of Marleau's goals. Burns also scored in the first period as the Sharks won another game in what's been their busiest stretch of the season so far.
Joonas Donskoi was injured midway through the first period after he absorbed a hit from Andreas Martinsen. He stayed near the Sharks bench for a few seconds before he left the game for good.
Burns gave the Sharks the lead with 1:00 left in the first period.
David Schlemko sent a puck around the end boards behind the Avalanche to Burns, whose quick shot got past Avalanche goalie Spencer Martin for his fifth goal in the last eight games and 15th even strength goal of the season.
The Avalanche got that goal back in the second period on the power play.
Mikhail Grigorenko faked a pass to the point and slid a cross ice pass to Jarome Iginla, whose one-timer snuck inside the near post for his sixth goal of the season with 9:58 to go in the second.
The win moved the Sharks into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division.
