Logan Couture and Dwight Helminen gave the San Jose Sharks its own version of youth and vigor. As a result, the Sharks took their first advantage of their playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche.

Evgeni Nabokov stopped 28 shots to record his seventh career playoff shutout, Couture scored twice and the Sharks beat the Avalanche 5-0 Thursday to take a 3-2 edge in their Western Conference series.

Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Helminen also scored for the Sharks, who finally found a way to get through Colorado goalie Craig Anderson. Anderson still made 29 saves on 33 shots before he was replaced by Peter Budaj at 11:05 of the third period.

Game 6 is Saturday at Colorado as the Avs look to avoid elimination.

In other NHL playoff action:

• Matt Carkner scored the winning goal as the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in 3 overtimes to cut their series deficit to 3-2.
• Brian Boucher pitches shutout as the Philadelphia Flyers bounce the New Jersey Devils 3-0 to win the series 4-1 to move on to the second round.
• Patrick Sharp scored his first two goals of the postseason, and the Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 and tied their opening series at 2-2 Thursday night.
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