Sharks 2 - 3 Blackhawks
Final - OT
  for this game

Blackhawks welcome Sharks to town

Dec 11, 2011 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks have recorded a point in four straight and six of their last seven games and will try to add another victory to that hot streak when they host the San Jose Sharks tonight at United Center.

The Blackhawks are 3-0-1 in December and have a 5-1-1 mark over their last seven tilts. Chicago's recent surge has helped it maintain first place in the Central Division and the club is currently one point ahead of Detroit for that distinction.

Chicago lost a shootout decision to visiting Phoenix on Monday, but rebounded with Thursday's overtime victory on Long Island. Patrick Sharp netted two goals, including the game-winner at the 1:34 mark of OT, helping the Blackhawks down the New York Islanders, 3-2, at Nassau Coliseum.

In overtime, Marian Hossa collected the puck in the defensive zone and raced up the right wing. He fired a slap shot on net from the right circle that Al Montoya kicked out with his right pad, but Sharp was there on the doorstep to jam home the rebound.

Sharp also had an assist, while Hossa ended his night with a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks. Sharp and Patrick Kane both enter tonight on five- game point streaks.

"I thought we did a good job tonight," Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said. "I know they came back from a 2-0 deficit and got a point, but at the same time, I thought we checked pretty well and were aware of their top line. We did some good things and it's obviously nice to win on the road."

Ray Emery turned aside 31 shots to earn his fifth victory of the season. No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford hasn't played since getting pulled early in the second period in Monday's loss to the Coyotes and Emery is expected to get the start again tonight.

The Blackhawks are 8-2-3 as the host this year, but have lost two of their last three in the Windy City.

The Sharks have lost three of their last four games and opened a three-game road trip Saturday with a 1-0 loss in St. Louis. Brian Elliott made 24 saves and the Blues killed off six San Jose power plays to record the defensive victory at Scottrade Center.

Antti Niemi was a hard-luck loser, making 18 saves for a Sharks team that had trouble finding good scoring chances.

"I was disappointed with the desperation of our first two power plays in the first seven minutes of the game," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "I thought that's where we lacked a little bit and their confidence went up in that situation."

It marked the fourth time this season that the Sharks had been shut out and it was San Jose's second 1-0 setback. McLellan's club also dropped a 1-0 decision in Anaheim back on Oct. 14.

Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray could be back tonight after missing the last three games with a hand injury.

San Jose, which will complete its swing Tuesday in Colorado, is 7-4-0 as the visiting team this season.

The Sharks notched a 1-0 win over Chicago on Nov. 23 in San Jose and have taken four of five and five of seven in this series. San Jose has lost three of five in Chicago, but also has eight wins in its last 11 trips to the United Center.






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