Sharks 3, Penguins 1

A quick look at the Penguins’ 3-1 loss to San Jose at Consol Energy Center Saturday night:

*** Sharks defenseman Brent Burns scored his team’s first two goals, and reminded everyone watching of what an impact he can have. Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy called him “an absolute animal,” and center Matt Cullen was no less effusive. “He’s got it all,” Cullen said. “He shoots the puck. He handles the puck. He makes plays. To me, he is a guy who drives their team. He plays both ends of the ice well, and he’s all over the place because he skates so well. He’s definitely one of those guys who actually doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is.”

*** The Penguins threw a season-high 39 shots at Sharks goalie Martin Jones, but Phil Kessel’s power-play goal at 8:38 of the second period was the only one that eluded him. The goal was Kessel’s seventh of the season and first in six games.

*** Former Penguins defenseman Paul Martin celebrated his return to Consol Energy Center with a goal and an assist. His goal closed out the scoring, and came after goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had stopped his shot from the point, only to have the puck carom off Lovejoy, who was tying up a Sharks forward near the crease. “Get [Fleury] to bank it off of [Lovejoy] and I’ll take it,” Martin said. “I guess I have to thank them for helping me out.”

*** Burns’ second goal also resulted from an inadvertent deflection, as his shot from above the right circle hit Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi near the crease before entering the net. “Stuff happens,” Fleury said.

*** The loss snapped the Penguins’ two-game winning streak and dropped their record to 12-8. San Jose has won five in a row, all on the road, and also is 12-8.

*** The first of San Jose left winger Patrick Marleau’s two assists was his 1,000th point in the NHL, making him the 83rd player in NHL history to reach that milestone. Joe Nieuwendyk, then of New Jersey, is the only other to do it against the Penguins.

*** Incredibly, Penguins center Crosby has an assist in consecutive home games for the first time this season.

*** The Penguins have scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games.

*** Lovejoy, on San Jose’s performance as a road team: “They did a good job. I thought we played well, but not our best. That San Jose team has been good for a long time, and they were good tonight.”

*** Sharks coach Pete DeBoer missed the game for personal reasons. Assistant coaches Bob Boughner, Johan Hedberg and Steve Spott shared his duties.

*** Crosby, on the Penguins’ performance: Our execution has to get a little better. We had our opportunities. It was a close game. The difference in the game was two pucks off of guys, really. That happens.”