Key play: Mike Santorelli’s goal 2:49 into the third period broke a scoreless tie and propelled the Ducks to a 1-0 victory Friday over the San Jose Sharks at the Honda Center. Nate Thompson’s pass from behind the net set up the goal, Santorelli’s fourth of the season. Thompson’s assist was his first of the season in his second game after returning to the lineup from shoulder surgery.

Pivotal performer: Ducks goaltender John Gibson made 23 saves for his fourth career shutout, and his second in three games. He wasn’t tested often, but he answered the challenge when he was, including on a point-blank try by San Jose’s Brent Burns late in the second period. Gibson is 3-2-1 with a 1.55 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and two shutouts since his recall Nov. 24 from San Diego of the AHL.

Quote, unquote: “It’s a beautiful city, but …” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said when a reporter suggested that Gibson doesn’t want to go back to San Diego.

Numbers game: Sharks goalie Martin Jones went into the game with a 9-1-0 record, a 1.67 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage on the road. The former Kings netminder was 12-7-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage overall.

Injury update: Ducks left wing Jiri Sekac continues to skate with his teammates, but there is no timetable for his return to the lineup. He was sidelined Friday for the 16th game after suffering a sprained right ankle in a Nov. 1 contest against the Nashville Predators.