DALLAS –- Call it a break from the normal routine.
The Sharks got behind early in Dallas, but stormed back to score four goals in the third period to down the Stars on Saturday night at American Airlines Center, 5-3.
San Jose had allowed just three first-period goals through their first 14 games, but fell behind by a pair when Tyler Seguin scored two of his three goals on the night in the opening frame.
Seguin’s third marker gave Dallas a 3-1 cushion in the second period that it brought into the start of the third, but the Sharks – who had been outscored 18-12 in third periods this season – fought all the way back to win the first of a seven-game road trip.
Brent Burns led the Sharks with two third period goals, while James Sheppard, Patrick Marleau each added one goal and one assist.
The late comeback began when Marleau brought the Sharks back to within 3-2 on the power play, depositing the rebound of a Joe Pavelski shot at 3:51 for his fifth goal.
Less than three minutes later, Seguin fell down in the neutral zone resulting in Logan Couture bringing the puck up the ice on a two-on-one. Couture flipped a pass to Burns, who easily slammed it past Anders Lindback at 6:38 during a four-on-four situation.
The game-winner came at 10:23. Kevin Connauton lost his balance in the defensive zone, giving the Sharks room to operate. A Tomas Hertl rebound kicked out to Burns, who buried his second of the night and sixth of the season.
The Sharks (8-5-2) improved to 6-2-2 on the road. They have gained points in five of their last six games (4-1-1).
Alex Stalock, making his first start since Oct. 25, earned his first win since the home opener on Oct. 11. His best save came with five minutes to go, when he managed to get his right pad on a Colton Sceviour attempt, despite being knocked over during a battle in the crease.
There were some late fireworks, when Stalock whacked the puck into the stands with about a minute to go and was run over by the Stars’ Antoine Roussel. A few Sharks immediately went after Roussel, who then sucker punched Justin Braun while the linesmen were trying to break it up.
Stalock was issued a delay of game penalty, but Roussel was handed a goalie interference minor and 10-minute misconduct.
Joe Thornton’s empty-net goal with 42 seconds left sealed the Sharks’ win.
Seguin opened the scoring at 8:03 came when a blast by Sergei Gonchar deflected off of his upper body and past Stalock.
A little more than two minutes later, Jamie Benn picked off a Jason Demers pass in the neutral zone, and the Stars brought the puck back into the offensive zone. Seguin got the puck at the top of the circle and picked the top near corner over Stalock’s left shoulder for his ninth goal at 10:26.
Just when it looked like Dallas was starting to take over, Sheppard’s third goal in as many games stopped the bleeding. A good shift by the third line led to a Marc-Edouard Vlasic blast from the top of the circle, and Sheppard cleaned up the rebound at 17:14 to cut the Dallas lead in half, 2-1.
Dallas outplayed the Sharks in the second period, though, and was eventually rewarded when Tyler Kennedy was whistled for tripping Sceviour at 15:18. That led to Seguin’s power play marker on a rebound just 10 seconds later.
Seguin, who entered the game tied for fourth in the league in scoring, had just one assist in his previous four games.
Dallas lost for the seventh straight game (0-5-2), and has just one win at home (1-3-4).
The Sharks return to Dallas on Feb. 19 in their final game before playing the Kings at Levi’s Stadium. They don’t welcome the Stars to SAP Center until April 6.
Special teams
San Jose was 1-for-2 on the power play, and is 6-for-17 in the last six games.
Seguin’s second period goal snapped an 0-for-17 power play drought for the Stars, who finished 1-for-5 with a man advantage.
In goal
Stalock improved to 2-2-1, and is now 3-0 in his career against Dallas. He made 37 saves.
Lindback, like Stalock, was also playing for the first time in two weeks. The backup to Kari Lehtonen, who had the night off, dropped to 0-3 with 24 saves.
Lineup
Matt Irwin skated for the first time since Oct. 25, drawing into the lineup in place of Scott Hannan. Tye McGinn returned after a three-game absence on the fourth line for Barclay Goodrow.
Dallas’ Jason Spezza played in his 700th career game, and recorded his 700th career point with an assist on Seguin’s third goal.
Up next
The Sharks will play in their third back-to-back situation when they visit the United Center for the only time this season on Sunday. Chicago lost to Washington at home on Friday in a preview of the Winter Classic, 3-2 in regulation.
San Jose’s roadie continues on to Florida, Tampa Bay, Columbus, Carolina and Buffalo.
