Coyotes Beat Sharks To Move Past Kings

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Radim Vrbata scored twice and Mike Smith had 37 saves to shut out San Jose for the third time this season, leading the Phoenix Coyotes to a critical 2-0 victory over the Sharks on Thursday night.

Vrbata, who missed the previous two games because of a bad reaction to penicillin, had a power-play goal in the second period, then scored 8:17 into the third period on a slick pass from Ray Whitney. Whitney had two assists to reach 999 career points.

The Coyotes rose from ninth to seventh in the Western Conference, while San Jose fell from a tie for seventh to ninth behind idle Los Angeles.

Phoenix and Pacific Division leader Dallas both have 89 points, but the Stars have played one fewer game.