Couture Gets First Hat Trick, Sharks Beat Canucks 4-1

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Logan Couture got his first NHL hat trick and James Reimer made 23 saves to help the San Jose Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 Tuesday night.

Joe Pavelski had a goal and an assist for San Jose, which clinched a playoff spot Monday night with a 5-2 home victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Couture scored twice in the second period and added an empty-netter in this one.

The Canucks have lost nine straight. They got a goal from Chris Higgins, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 shots.

The Sharks are third in the Pacific Division, two points back of the Anaheim Ducks and three behind L.A.