Recap: San Jose vs. Vancouver

San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Logan Couture's goal midway through the second period proved to be the difference, as the San Jose Sharks held off the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2.

Joe Thornton had a goal and an assist for the Sharks, who have won five in a row and sit sixth in the Western Conference. Andrew Desjardins also lit the lamp.

Antti Niemi made 23 saves for San Jose, which took all three games from Vancouver this season.

Chris Higgins had a goal and an assist for the Canucks, who are tied with the Wild atop the Northwest Division with 44 points. Alexandre Burrows also scored.

Cory Schneider stopped 32-of-35 shots for Vancouver, which has lost two in a row since a six-game winning streak.

The Sharks outshot the Canucks by a 14-6 margin during a scoreless first period.

Desjardins beat Schneider from the left circle at the 7:41 mark of the middle stanza to break a scoreless tie.

Less than a minute later, Thornton won a battle for the puck at the blue line and blasted a wrister past Schneider to make it 2-0.

The Sharks added another goal at the 9:54 mark. Patrick Marleau sent a pass to Couture in front of the net. The puck deflected off Couture and crossed the goal line. The play was reviewed to make sure Couture didn't intentionally kick the puck in, but the goal was upheld.

"When it gets 3-0, everyone gets kind of comfortable," Thornton said. "We know how quickly it can vanish, but it was nice we held on for the two points."

Higgins got the Canucks on the board at the 17:26 mark of the second frame. His shot from the right hash got past Niemi to make it 3-1.

Burrows jammed home a rebound at the 10:20 mark of the third to cut the gap to 3-2.