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Sharks can snap three-game slide vs. Blackhawks

Feb 3, 2007 - 3:21 PM Chicago (19-25-7) at San Jose (33-18-1) 4:00 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- A three-game losing streak and an inefficient power play is not what the San Jose Sharks had in mind at this point of the season.

The Sharks hope they can turn things around in the third contest of a four-game homestand Saturday when they meet the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time this season.

Tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the second-highest victory total in the Western Conference and leading the league in fewest goals allowed (121), San Jose has just one tally in its last 32 power-play chances. The Sharks are hoping to avoid setting a season high for consecutive losses.

San Jose failed to score in six attempts with the man advantage in their second home loss in three days to the Dallas Stars, a 4-2 defeat on Thursday. Patrick Marleau scored his team-leading 26th goal and Mark Bell netted his seventh.

Playing the second contest of a seven-game road trip, the Blackhawks have won two straight in overtime and can record their first three-game winning streak since November 29-December 2.

Chicago opened the trip with Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Los Angels Kings. Defenseman Lasse Kukkonen netted the game-winner in the extra session and Martin Havlat and Jeff Hamilton added goals for the Blackhawks.