Pavelski scores twice as Sharks remain undefeated with a 4-1 victory over the Canucks

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Pavelski had two goals, Patrick Marleau scored again — though only once — and the undefeated San Jose Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Sunday.

Joe Thornton also scored for the Sharks, who improved to 5-0-0. Antti Niemi made 23 saves as coach Todd McLellan earned his 200th career victory.

Marleau scored two goals in each of the first four games of the season, becoming the first NHL player do pull of that trick since 1917.

Alexandre Burrows scored for the Canucks, who had a three-game unbeaten streak end. Cory Schneider also stopped 23 shots.

Ryan Clowe tied a Sharks record with eight penalties, all in the first two periods, and a career-high 35 penalty minutes. The game became feisty even before the drop of the puck as Clowe and Burrows got into it at centre ice and it remained that way.

Fights between Clowe and Zack Kassian in the first period and Douglas Murray and Aaron Volpatti in the third were lengthy and bloody.

Pavelski, Marleau and Thornton have each recorded points in the first five games for the Sharks

Thornton put the Sharks on the scoreboard 43 seconds into the contest, intercepting a pass from Jason Garrison in front of the net and beating Schneider.

Pavelski also stole a pass late in the first and scored. He caught Alexander Elder’s pass, also in front of the net.

Burrows scored midway through the second period. His shot bounced off Niemi’s pads and then deflected off the back of Dan Boyle’s skates and into the net.

Marleau, who scored his ninth goal of the season, also got a lucky bounce. Boyle’s shot hit off Marleau’s skate and went into the net.

Pavelski added another goal midway through the third.

Notes: Thornton has 46 points (12-34) points in 39 games against the Canucks. … Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault remains two wins away from 400. … Canucks LW Daniel Sedin had recorded a point in his first four games. … The Canucks were 3-0-1 against the Sharks last year. … The Sharks went 101:27 without allowing a goal.