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Thornton, Sharks looking to feast on Blackhawks

Oct 10, 2007 - 1:57 PM San Jose (1-1-1) at Chicago (1-1-0) 8:30 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Joe Thornton was a big reason why the San Jose Sharks dominated the Chicago Blackhawks last season.

Thornton hopes to continue his stellar play against the Blackhawks when the teams square off Wednesday in Chicago.

Thornton, who leads the Sharks with two goals and three assists this season, had two goals and seven assists against the Blackhawks last season. The first overall pick in the 1997 draft followed up his Hart Trophy-winning campaign in 2005-06 with 22 goals and 92 assists.

The Sharks are looking to extend their seven-game winning streak against their Western Conference foes. They have not lost to the Blackhawks since October 15, 2005.

San Jose was outstanding against Chicago last season. The Sharks outscored the Blackhawks, 17-4, in their four meetings.

In three starts against the Blackhawks last season, Evgeni Nabokov allowed just two goals. The 32-year-old netminder is 8-4-2 with one shutout and a 2.16 goals-against average in his career against Chicago.

Nabokov has struggled in the early portion of the season, starting all three games and posting a 3.16 GAA and a .873 save percentage. He was pulled midway through the third period in Sunday's 6-2 setback to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Blackhawks will turn to a pair of new faces to turn around their struggles against the Sharks. Rookie Patrick Kane, 18, and free-agent acquisition Robert Lang both played major roles in Chicago's home-opening 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Kane registered his first career point, assisting Tuomo Ruutu's second-period tally, and beat future Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek to score the lone goal of the shootout. Lang tied the score with 3:40 left in regulation for his first goal with his new team.