SAN JOSE
– Wednesday night’s showdown between the top two teams in the
NHL turned out to be a one-sided contest as the Chicago Blackhawks
took advantage of three shorthanded goals to topple the San Jose
Sharks 7-2 at sold-out HP Pavilion.
SAN JOSE – Wednesday night’s showdown between the top two teams in the NHL turned out to be a one-sided contest as the Chicago Blackhawks took advantage of three shorthanded goals to topple the San Jose Sharks 7-2 at sold-out HP Pavilion.
The Sharks, with only one regulation loss in their past 15 games, suffered their first home regulation loss of the season as the Blackhawks extended their winning streak to eight games.
Chicago left the first period with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Troy Brouwer’s shorthander at the 17:45 mark.
The Hawks poured it on during the team’s second shorthanded situation by scoring twice while Brouwer was in the penalty box in the second period. Marian Hossa, making his season debut, scored at 4:57 and Patrick Sharp followed at 5:25 to make it 3-0.
Chicago’s outburst broke a San Jose franchise mark, having allowed two shorthanded goals in one game on 12 occasions. The NHL mark is four.
The Hawks added an even-strength goal 10:38 into the second period. Dustin Byfuglien set up in front of the San Jose net and whacked in a rebound of a Cam Barker shot from the point to push the score to 4-0.
San Jose coach Todd McLellan pulled starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov after two periods. Thomas Greiss was in the net for the final 20 minutes and was touched for even-strength goals by Brent Seabrook, Hossa and John Madden.
San Jose had suffered only one shut-out in the first 25 games of the season, a 1-0 setback to Phoenix on Oct. 12. The Sharks scored at least two goals in all but two of their previous 18 games.
The Sharks rallied for two goals in the final 3:43 to avoid the shut-out and reach the two-goal mark for the ninth consecutive game.
San Jose turned a 5-on-3 power play opportunity into a goal at 16:17 when Dan Boyle drilled his fifth goal of the season off assists from Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. Thornton tops the league with 26 assists.
The Sharks added an even-strength goal at 17:50 when Joe Pavelski lined a shot inside the far right post for his fifth of the campaign. Ryane Clowe and Kent Huskins assisted.
San Jose, two points ahead of Chicago and Pittsburgh atop the league standings, begins a two-game roadtrip Friday in Edmonton against the Oilers. After playing at Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, San Jose begins a five-game homestand Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.
