SAN JOSE, California: Sami Salo scored twice and Ryan Kesler added a goal as the Vancouver Canucks capitalized on three two-man advantages in the second period to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 Sunday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals to take a 3-1 series lead. The Canucks scored the three goals in a span of 1:55, needing only 37 seconds on the three 5-on-3 situations to beat Antti Niemi three times. Alexandre Burrows added an even-strength goal in the third period as the Canucks moved to the brink of reaching the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1994. Henrik Sedin had a franchise playoff-record four assists, twin brother Daniel had three, and Roberto Luongo made 33 saves. Vancouver scored four goals despite recording only 13 shots in the game. Andrew Desjardins and Ryane Clowe had third-period goals for the Sharks, who failed to capitalize on five early power-play chances and fell to 1-6 at home in the conference finals in franchise history. San Jose will need to win Game 5 in Vancouver Tuesday night to extend the series and get another chance in the Shark Tank. In a series dominated by special teams play, this game was no different with nearly 15 of the first 33 minutes being spent with a team on the power play. That's where the Canucks dominated in a turnabout from their 4-3 loss in Game 3. They allowed three power-play goals in that game and failed to convert during 1:55 of 5-on-3 time in the second period. The Canucks clearly solved both of those issues before Game 4 despite being without injured defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome. First, they killed off five straight minor penalties to open the game as they spent 10:00 of the first 24:06 short-handed.
