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Sharks look for more dominance against Blackhawks

Nov 16, 2008 - 9:24 AM San Jose (14-3-1) at Chicago (7-3-5), 7:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks have an impressive home record on their side; the San Jose Sharks have history on theirs.

Armed with plenty of success at the United Center this season, the Blackhawks look to avoid a 12th straight loss to the Sharks when the teams meet on Sunday.

The Blackhawks have yet to lose in regulation at home, posting a 6-0-4 record. However, they have dropped their last two contests there. Chicago fell, 4-3, in overtime to the St. Louis Blues on Friday and suffered a 2-1 shootout defeat two days prior against the Boston Bruins.

San Jose owns the league's best record at home (10-0-1), but is much more vulnerable on the road, posting a pedestrian 4-3-0 mark. Since losing, 6-3, on the road on October 7, 2005, it has won 11 straight against Chicago.

The Sharks are coming off a 6-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Joe Pavelski had two goals, Milan Michalek and Joe Thorton both tallied and captain Patrick Marleau had a power-play goal.

The 29-year-old Marleau has 13 goals and 16 assists in 40 career games against the Blackhawks.

If injured goaltender Evgeni Nabokov is forced to miss his fifth straight game, Brian Boucher will start. Boucher is 4-2-0 with two ties and a 1.84 goals-against average in eight career games against the Blackhawks.