SAN JOSE, Calif. -- When Tommy Wingels scored a fluky, short-handed goal in the opening minutes, it was clear this was going to be San Joses night. Wingels scored two goals and Antti Niemi shut Montreal out for the second time this season in the Sharks 4-0 victory over the Canadiens on Saturday night. Wingels opened the scoring with a short-handed goal after Peter Budaj misplayed a shot from centre ice and added another on a deflection to lead the way for the Sharks. "That was a fortunate bounce for us," Wingels said of his first goal. "Well take it. It kind of gave us some momentum in the first there." Matt Nieto also scored and Logan Couture had a goal and two assists for the Sharks, who have won seven straight home games against Montreal since last losing here to the Canadiens in 1999. Niemi made 27 saves to follow up his 2-0 victory in Montreal in October with another shutout as San Jose moved within four points of first-place Anaheim in the Pacific Division. "We want to win our division," Couture said. "That was one of our goals from the start of the year and were close." Budaj was knocked out after allowing two goals in less than 22 minutes as Montreal lost for the third time in four games on a road trip to Arizona and California. "It was a frustrating game and a frustrating road trip," captain Brian Gionta said. "We wanted something better out of it." San Jose took control of the game in a dominant second period, getting goals from Wingels and Nieto in the first half of the period to go up 3-0. Wingels second goal of the game came when a point shot from Matt Nieto hit the inside of his leg on the way into the goal. That led coach Michel Therrien to give an early hook to Budaj, who allowed two goals on the first 11 shots. The change to Dustin Tokarski failed to generate the spark Therrien was seeking as the Sharks continued to attack with the two-goal lead and expanded it when Patrick Marleau set up Nieto for a one-timer from the slot midway through the period. Nieto set up Couture for his 18th goal in the opening minute of the third period to put the game out of reach. Niemi, making consecutive starts for the first time since Feb. 1-3, was not tested often but was up to the task when challenged, including an early pad save on P.K. Subban and on a short-handed breakaway by Tomas Plekanec late in the third. Niemi has struggled a bit of late and had his playing time cut back as San Jose started backup Alex Stalock in three of the first four games after the Olympic break. But he followed up a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night with another shutout against the Canadiens. "Nemo had to make some saves early, and then he had to make a couple late to maintain the shutout," coach Todd McLellan said. "I thought he was very calm, very solid again." The Sharks got a fortunate break to take a 1-0 lead early in the first period with James Sheppard in the penalty box for tripping. Couture shot the puck in from centre ice that got caught between Budajs pads. Instead of freezing the puck for a faceoff, Budaj stood up and tried to play it but Wingels raced in and poked it into the net for San Joses second short-handed goal in as many games. "We were on the power play and I wanted to play it right away to help and not have a faceoff in our own end," Budaj said. "I didnt have a look to see the player was coming. Thats my mistake." The Sharks werent nearly as effective on their three power plays that included 21 seconds of a two-man advantage. They struggled to get set up in the offensive zone and were sloppy with their passes, generating only one shot on goal in those three opportunities. The power play has been a problem for San Jose in recent weeks with the team going 2-for-48 over the past 15 games. NOTES: Sharks F Raffi Torres got called for boarding on a hard shoulder check into Lars Eller in the second period. Jarred Tinordi took exception and started a fight, negating any power play for the Canadiens. ... Montreal D Douglas Murray got a warm ovation in his first game back in San Jose since being traded by the Sharks to Pittsburgh last March. He delivered an early hit on Nieto and also was on the receiving end of one from Brent Burns. Harold Baines White Sox Jersey . Leave it to Matt Niskanen, the newly proclaimed Eddie Haskell of the Washington Capitals. Jace Fry Jersey . Called on from the college ranks to replace Andy Reid, Kelly implemented a whole new atmosphere in the City of Brotherly Love and now has the Eagles in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/.75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday. Bobby Thigpen White Sox Jersey . Mauer drove in two runs before leaving with an injury, Eduardo Nunez homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Tuesday night. Charley Lau White Sox Jersey . - The New York Rangers have momentum, a unified locker room and Henrik Lundqvist.ROME -- Serena Williams kept the crowd from being a factor in a 6-3, 6-0 victory over 10th-seeded home favourite Sara Errani to win the Italian Open for the third time Sunday. Errani was bidding to become the first Italian to win the tournament in nearly 30 years but the top-ranked Williams quickly took control in both sets and Errani appeared slowed by a left thigh problem. Errani left the court for an injury timeout while trailing 5-3 in the opening set and came back with her thigh bandaged. On the final point before she left the court, Errani pulled up and let a shot from Williams pass by her without even attempting to get to it. "Im sorry. You were unbelievable all week," Errani told fans during the victory ceremony, as she brushed back tears. "I tried to do my best and stayed on the court only for you." Williams other Rome titles came in 2002 and last year -- and she went on to win the French Open on both occasions. "Im also sorry for Sara today," Williams told the crowd in Italian. "She really played great all week." Later, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal was facing Novak Djokovic in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting in the mens final of the last key clay-court tuneup for Roland Garros, which starts next weekend. A left thigh problem prompted Williams to withdraw before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week but now she appears back on track for the French. "Im not 100 per cent but Im just kind of going on adrenaline," Williams said. Organizers attempted to whip up patriotic fervour by having the Italian anthem sung before the players walked out onto the court, and fans continuously chanted "Sara, Sara" to try and encourage Errani in an atmosphere that more resembled a Davis Cup or Fed Cup setting.dddddddddddd But Williams jumped out to a 3-0 lead and while Errani had a few chances to get back into the first set, Williams overpowered the Italian with her serve -- she had seven aces to Erranis none -- and overall attacking game. Still, Errani could console herself by becoming the first Italian runner-up in the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto. The last Italian man to win was Adriano Panatta back in 1976. When former Italian player Lea Pericoli asked Errani during the trophy presentation if she was "disappointed" with her showing, the crowd responded with boos and whistles. Pericoli then acknowledged that Erranis appearance in the final was an accomplishment by itself. Injury permitting, Errani was slated to play the doubles final later with partner Roberta Vinci against Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. It was the 60th title of Williams career, and a large portion of those trophies have come in recent years for the 32-year-old American. Martina Navratilova holds the record with 167 titles and Williams needs seven more to match Billie Jean King for sixth place on the all-time list. "Im like a fine wine, I guess -- at least my tennis is," Williams said. "My game gets better with age." ' ' '