Ducks build early lead en route to victory over Sharks

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    The Ducks’ Max Comtois, left, and the San Jose Sharks’ Brent Burns pursue the puck during the first period on Tuesday night in San Jose. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks center Noah Gregor (73) chases the puck past Ducks left wing Sonny Milano (12) during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    The Ducks’ Max Comtois, right, and Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in the first period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    The Ducks’ Trevor Zegras, right, is congratulated by Adam Henrique after he scored against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    The Ducks’ Trevor Zegras (46) is congratulated by teammates after he scored against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) is checked into the boards by Ducks center Zach Aston-Reese (16) during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) moves the puck between the skates of Ducks defenseman Simon Benoit (86) during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    The Ducks’ Hunter Drew made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Hunter Drew #72 of the Anaheim Ducks and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in the first period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. Drew made his NHL debut tonight. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Hunter Drew #72 of the Anaheim Ducks and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in the first period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. Drew made his NHL debut tonight. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz blocks a San Jose Sharks shot during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) blocks a shot on goal by San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) as Andrej Sustr, left, defends during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    San Jose Sharks left wing Alexander Barabanov (94) is checked into the boards by Ducks center Vinni Lettieri (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks defenseman Jamie Drysdale (34) moves the puck past San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) during the first period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Rudolfs Balcers #92 of the San Jose Sharks and Josh Mahura #76 of the Anaheim Ducks go for the puck in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks center Trevor Zegras (46) shoots as San Jose Sharks center Nick Bonino (13) defends during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks left wing Max Comtois (44) scores a goal over San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (34) during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks left wing Max Comtois (44) celebrates a goal against San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (34) during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Alexander Barabanov #94 of the San Jose Sharks collides with Urho Vaakanainen #5 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks left wing Sonny Milano (12) is congratulated by teammates after his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Nick Bonino #13 of the San Jose Sharks tries to put a shot on goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    The Ducks’ Hunter Drew made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks center Scott Reedy, right, scores a goal past Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    San Jose Sharks center Scott Reedy reacts after he scored a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks center Scott Reedy reacts after he scored a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks center Scott Reedy celebrates after scoring a goal against the Ducks during the second period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Nicolas Meloche of the San Jose Sharks and Isac Lundestrom of the Ducks go for the puck in the third period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks defenseman Josh Mahura scores a goal past Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks defenseman Josh Mahura (76) scores a goal against San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (34) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks defenseman Josh Mahura celebrates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    The Ducks’ Josh Mahura, right, is congratulated by Max Comtois after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period on Tuesday night in San Jose. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks defenseman Josh Mahura is congratulated for his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    A shot by San Jose Sharks left wing Jonah Gadjovich (42) hits the post behind Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) during the third period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (21) collides with San Jose Sharks defenseman Nicolas Meloche (53) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    San Jose Sharks left wing Jonah Gadjovich, top, fights with Ducks defenseman Hunter Drew during the third period on Tuesday night in San Jose. The Ducks won, 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    Hunter Drew #72 of the Anaheim Ducks and Jonah Gadjovich #42 of the San Jose Sharks fight in the third period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. Tonight is Drew’s NHL debut. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    San Jose Sharks left wing Jonah Gadjovich (42) fights with Ducks defenseman Hunter Drew (72) during the third period in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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    The Ducks’ Hunter Drew made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Jamie Drysdale of the Ducks passes the puck past Alexander Barabanov of the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    The Ducks’ Hunter Drew made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 26, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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    Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) is congratulated by Josh Mahura (76) after the team’s 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

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SAN JOSE — The Battle for Sixth? Or was it the Battle for Seventh?

Bragging rights? Or the better odds at a higher draft pick?

The Ducks and the San Jose Sharks took to the ice Tuesday night at SAP Center looking to settle matters in the fourth and final meeting of a season that will end for each team on Friday. Neither advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs and for the Ducks, it will mark a fourth straight early vacation.

In the end, the Ducks delayed the standings skirmish by building a three-goal lead and taking a hard-earned 5-2 victory from the Sharks. The Ducks play the Stars on Friday in Dallas in their season finale. The Sharks have games Thursday in Edmonton and Friday in Seattle.

Josh Mahura’s goal at 10;47 of the third period gave the Ducks a 4-2 lead after the Sharks had narrowed their 3-0 advantage to 3-2 in the closing minutes of the second. Trevor Zegras, Max Comtois and Sonny Milano also scored for the Ducks, and Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves.

Stolarz also assisted on Zach Aston-Reese’s late empty-net goal.

“Absolutely,” Stolarz said when asked if he had tried to shoot the puck into the empty net. “My cross-hairs were a little off and it went a little left. I’ll take the assist. I kind of double-clutched it. The ice wasn’t so great and (the puck) rolled up on me. I actually got good wood on it.”

Stolarz’s attempt from below the goal line, after the Sharks shot the puck behind his net, veered left and didn’t have enough distance to travel the 200-foot length of the ice. Aston-Reese latched onto it in the neutral zone and fired it from near the left wing boards into the vacant net.

The Ducks’ victory wasn’t sufficient to enable them to vault over the Sharks into sixth place. The Ducks (31-36-14) and Sharks (32-26-12) each have 76 points, but San Jose has one game in hand and maintained its edge in the Pacific Division standings over its rivals.

“Obviously, the (overall) results aren’t what we want,” Stolarz said. “But at the end of the day, you look at the majority of the games and we’re playing hard, battling hard against good teams. L.A. and San Jose, we know that these are our rivals. No matter what, we’re competitive guys.

“Even though we’re out of it, we want to try to stick it to them.”

Zegras scored only 4:05 into the game on a perfectly placed shot from a sharp angle that got caught in the netting at the very top of the goal, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Zegras’ goal was his 23rd of the season, and his 60th point, extending his franchise rookie scoring record.

Troy Terry appeared to have given the Ducks a 2-0 lead at 13:13 of the first period by smacking home a rebound from close range. The play was reviewed and it was determined that Terry directed the puck into the net with a distinct kicking motion and the goal was washed out.

The Ducks would get their 2-0 lead and a 3-0 advantage, too, but they had to wait until the second period to get it done. Comtois scored at 5:26 of the second, moments after the Ducks killed a penalty. Milano then made it 3-0 with a backhanded shot from the high slot at 6:22.

San Jose scored twice late in the second on goals from Brent Burns (power play) and Scott Reedy, generating some momentum at long last and making a game of it. The Ducks played their best overall period in the third, controlling the run of play and outshooting the Sharks by 14-6.

“We scored at opportune times,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “We didn’t start out great but got better as the game went on. We haven’t faulted our team at all with the way we’ve worked since the trade deadline especially. I think our guys have worked hard and stuck together the best they can.”

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