Chicago Capitalizes, Collects Crucial Contest

The Blackhawks doubled their lead over San Jose by outplaying the Sharks in a 4-2 victory at HP Pavilion on Tuesday. The Hawks will now bring their 2-0 series advantage home to Chicago for Game 3 of the Western Conference NHL finals. The best-of-seven series continued last night in San Jose, where Chicago won their seventh straight road playoff game to tie a league record.
The Blackhawks stuck to their game of controlling puck possessions and getting traffic in front of the Sharks’ net to hold the hosts scoreless through the opening period. Patient Chicago also forced 20 turnovers and limited the Shark skaters to extra scoring chances. Goalie for the Blackhawks, Antti Neimi made 25 stops in another brilliant effort. Neimi stymied the Sharks, especially during the first period. The Hawks were outshot in the first period, but were the only team to record a goal. Forward, Andrew Ladd tallied the first goal for Chicago at 12:48 in the opening session. Ladd netted his second post-season goal by ripping a 45 foot wrist shot past Niclas Wallin. The puck squeezed over the shoulder of netminder, Evgeni Nabokov for the goal.
Nabokov recorded 18 saves in the loss for San Jose. His team didn’t get on the scoreboard until 11:08 in the second period. Patrick Marleau sparked the Sharks with a power play slam off a Joe Thornton pass. The Blackhawks had already built a substantial and robust 3-0 edge before Marleau fired the puck past Neimi. The visitors seized control midway through the second period. Dustin Byfuglien and Johnathan Toews planted the puck into the net within two minutes of each other. Toews’ tally came on a Chicago power play at the 8:29 mark. The dependable captain, Toews redirected Norris Trophy finalist, Duncan Keith’s shot with Byfuglien screening Nabokov in net. Chicago continued to win face-offs and block shots despite some snappy Shark surges. Top-seeded San Jose let the game spiral away as they were charged with five third period penalties. The Blackhawks capitalized on offense.
Troy Brouwer picked up the final Chicago goal in the third period. He scored in the paint off a deflection to give the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead. The frustrated Sharks allowed the penalties to boil over and couldn’t break through again until Marleau’s second goal late in the third period. Marleau’s left rebound jam cut the road team’s deficit in half, but it was too late for a home comeback. The series heads to the United Center, where the Sharks hope to rediscover their confidence and bounce back from a 2-0 series setback.

Parting Points: Two other playoff series stand at 2-0--- The Flyers are up by two games over Montreal and the Celtics have the 2-0 edge over Orlando in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.