Sharks 1 - 5 Blackhawks
Final
  for this game

Sharp, Blackhawks down Sharks

Nov 18, 2013 - 6:48 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Sharp had two goals with an assist, Corey Crawford made 23 saves and the Chicago Blackhawks shook off a recent poor outing to post a 5-1 win over the San Jose Sharks at United Center.

Kris Versteeg, reacquired in a trade with Florida on Thursday, had a goal and an assist in his homecoming for the Blackhawks, who rebounded from a 7-2 loss Saturday at Nashville.

Antti Niemi surrendered five goals on 27 shots for San Jose, which had won three in a row and concluded its five-game road trip with a 3-1-1 mark.

"We lacked a lot of energy that was needed to play in this type of game," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.

Captain Jonathan Toews sparked a three-goal third period for the Blackhawks. His tally at the 3:39 mark extended Chicago's lead to 3-1 before Versteeg, who was dealt for salary cap reasons after the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup victory, lit the lamp off a feed from Brandon Saad with 4:50 remaining.

"Tonight was special. Best fans in the world here, so it was exciting," Versteeg said.

Sharp was taken down by defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on a breakaway and scored on the subsequent penalty shot with 1:11 to play.

Brandon Pirri opened the scoring at the 16:34 mark of the first period. Patrick Kane had his shot from the right circle blocked, but Pirri jumped on the puck in the slot and fired it past Niemi.

Joe Pavelski, playing in his 500th NHL game, tied it for the Sharks 8:16 into the second period. Crawford knocked down Pavelski's shot with his glove, but the puck had enough momentum to cross the goal line.

Sharp put the Blackhawks back on top less than four minutes later. Marcus Kruger pulled up in the right circle and fed Sharp a cross-ice pass for a one- timer at 12:08.

Game Notes

The Sharks have lost six consecutive games in Chicago since a 5-3 win on Dec. 30, 2010 ... Kane extended his point streak to seven games (4g, 6a) ... Chicago played a second straight game without forward Marian Hossa (lower-body injury).






Related News