San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan was surprised to hear his team has won 16 of its past 17 games against the Washington Capitals. "There isn't a magic wand or any secret formula to beating them," McLellan insisted. Perhaps. A fluke of a first score, success on the power play, and two goals each by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau sure do help, though. So does getting to face a goalie recalled from the minors and playing in the NHL for the first time in nearly a year. Add it all up, and the Pacific Division-leading Sharks beat the Capitals 5-3 Monday night, as Pavelski also delivered two assists, Joe Thornton collected three assists, and Brent Burns scored on Braden Holtby, who was brought up from Hershey of the American Hockey League in the afternoon.
