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Thornton, Nabokov star as Sharks blank Blackhawks

Feb 23, 2007 - 7:39 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The San Jose Sharks still are struggling offensively, but they gave Evgeni Nabokov more than enough support this time.

Joe Thornton had a goal and an assist and Nabokov made 21 saves as the Sharks posted a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Since recording a 6-5 triumph over St. Louis on February 13, San Jose has failed to score more than two goals in regulation in any of its last four games, going 1-3-0 with the lone win being a 3-2 shootout decision. In two of the three losses, the Sharks failed to get on the scoreboard.

"All we got was a couple of lucky goals," Thornton said. "It was one of those type games."

San Jose again had trouble offensively but managed to create enough of a cushion for Nabokov, who stopped four shots in the first period, nine in the second and eight in the third en route to his fourth shutout of the season and 31st career.

"You work hard, you get rewarded," Nabokov said. "The shutout is nice, but getting the two points is the most important thing. We need the points, and we got them."

"Nabokov made a couple of big saves early," San Jose coach Ron Wilson said. "For the most part, he was able to see the shots, so he didn't have anything really scary."

Thornton ended a four-game goalless drought midway through the first period, beating goaltender Patrick Lalime with a shot from the left faceoff circle during a power play.

"It was a great pass by Patrick (Marleau), but then the puck popped up on its side," Thornton said. "My shot was like a knuckleball, and I am just glad it got past Lalime and went in."

The reigning Hart Trophy winner then set up a second-period tally by Jonathan Cheechoo, who also had not scored in his last four contests.

"You don't like to see them go in, but the guys who scored are good shooters," Lalime said. "That's the way it is."

Last season's Maurice Richard Trophy winner with 56 goals, Cheechoo made it 2-0 at 4:27 of the middle session, snapping the puck past the glove of Lalime for his 22nd of the campaign.

"It was a nice pass by Joe, and then I had Patrick and his big body screening Lalime," Cheechoo said. "I don't think he could even see the shot."

Marleau and Mark Bell each had an assist for the Sharks, who improved to 4-3-0 on their season-high eight-game road trip.

Lalime stopped 21 shots for Chicago, which has lost five in a row. The veteran netminder is 1-2-1 this season despite allowing just five goals.

"Lalime played good, he really did," Chicago coach Denis Savard said. "We worked hard down in the corners, and our character guys had a good effort. We just didn't take advantage of the chances we had."

Chicago, which was blanked for the sixth time this season, fell to 1-7-3 in its last 11 home games.

"It was one of those games where we had chances and couldn't find a way to put the puck in the net," Lalime said.