The San Jose Sharks continued their five-game homestand with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks SAP Center on Wednesday night.
Sharks defenseman Brent Burns played in his first game since signing an eight-year, $64 million contract extension Tuesday.
Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival replaced Michal Kempny in Wednesday’s lineup. Rozsival returned after being a healthy scratch Monday for a 5-0 loss at the Edmonton Oilers.
After David Schlemko unexpectedly left the game, Dylan DeMelo made his season debut for the Sharks.
Less than five minutes into the first period, Mikkel Boedker got the ball rolling with a wrist shot, but it was blocked by Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford.
Blackhawks forward Artem Anisimov was called for hooking midway through the opening frame.
The Sharks offense exploded with their first power-play goal of the game as Logan Couture scored his sixth goal of the season on a short-term 4-on-3. Couture took a pass from Joe Pavelski, moved to the faceoff dot and one-timed it past Crawford for a 1-0 lead at 11:32.
Fortunately for the Sharks, the power-play excitement wasn’t over.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic was called for tripping with 5:44 left in the frame. Joel Ward extended the Sharks’ lead to 2-0 with a short-handed goal just 26 seconds later. Ward’s second goal of the season was his first since Oct. 15 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Despite the Blackhawks holding a 14-13 edge in shots, the Sharks led 2-0 after 20 minutes.
Sharks goalie Martin Jones made an outstanding save 2:32 into the middle frame, blocking a slap shot from Gustav Forsling to keep the visiting team scoreless.
The Blackhawks set themselves up with a good scoring opportunity. Artemi Panarin received a nice pass from Anisimov and cranked a one-timer from the top of the left circle that beat Jones. Panarin’s eighth goal of the season cut the Sharks’ lead in half at 12:11.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews left the game with an apparent injury and didn’t return.
The Sharks gained some momentum, outshooting the Blackhawks 26-25, and held onto a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. Jones no longer had a perfect save percentage, but made 24 saves on 25 shots.
The Blackhawks pulled Crawford for an extra attacker late in the final frame, but the Sharks went on to win 2-1.
Jones finished with a season-high 33 saves in a San Jose victory. Crawford made 33 saves in a losing effort for Chicago.
Up Next
The Sharks return to action Friday when they host the New York Islanders. Game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PST on CSCA, MSG+.
