Smith perfect thru shootout for Coyotes vs. Sharks

Both teams hadn't won in their previous three games.

The Sharks entered with one power-play goal in their previous 21 opportunities, and went 0-for-4. Phoenix came with four goals in 23 chances before an 0-for-3 performance.

San Jose has turned around its penalty-killing. After allowing a power-play goal in each of their first three games, the Sharks have killed 34 straight short-handed situations.

"I knew our penalty kill has been good but I don't worry about the streak," Niemi said. "Just stopping shots."

The last time these teams met, there was plenty of offense. The Sharks scored three straight goals in a 5-3 win, and Thornton set a team record for the most points (9) in the first three games of a season (1 goal, 8 assists). Patrick Marleau also became the first player in 20 years to open a season with three straight multiple-goal games.

Smith, who shut out the Sharks three times last season, improved to 6-3-1 in his career against them.

Notes: Coyotes C Martin Hanzal, who left the game for precautionary reasons, had a four-game point streak snapped. ... Coyotes C Boyd Gordon played in his 450th NHL game. ... The Sharks activated D Brent Burns, who played in his first game of the season. D Matt Irwin was assigned to Worchester of the AHL to make room. ... Tippett coached in his 750th game. ... Sharks LW Ryan Clowe hasn't scored a goal this season.