Wire briefs: Sharks strong start continues

SAN JOSE (AP) — Patrick Marleau became the second player in NHL history to open a season with four straight multigoal games, striking twice on the power play in the first period for San Jose, as the Sharks defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 4-0.

Marleau has scored exactly two goals in each game this season, joining Ottawa’s Cy Denneny in 1917-18 as the only players to open a campaign with four multigoal games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Joe Thornton added a power-play goal in the second period, giving San Jose 10 power-play goals in four games and a franchise record 19 overall.

Thomas Greiss made 24 saves for his first career shutout and Matt Irwin got his first career goal as the Sharks are off to their best start since also winning the first four games in 2008-09.

The Avalanche lost their seventh straight game in San Jose since winning Game 1 of their first-round playoff series in 2010.

Nuggets put Kings away early

DENVER (AP) — Ty Lawson scored 26 points, Andre Iguodala had 20 and the Denver Nuggets used a strong first three quarters to rout the Sacramento Kings 121-93 on Saturday.

Danilo Gallinari added 14 points for the Nuggets, who led 71-49 at intermission to set a season high for points in a half.

Aaron Brooks scored 16 points off the bench and Tyreke Evans had 15 for the Kings, who have lost four straight. DeMarcus Cousins was held to three points. It’s the first time in his past 17 games he failed to score in double figures.