photo from sfgate.com: Chicago Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat (12) battles San Jose Sharks’ Noah Gregor (73) and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Chicago
~ By Pearl Allison Lo
~ With their fourth straight loss and fifth consecutive on the road, San Jose slid further in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
It was the Sharks’ most goals given up since a month ago on February 10 versus the Calgary Flames.
San Jose goalie Aaron Dell himself is mired in a five-game slump, with an average of over three goals given up meanwhile.
Chicago star Patrick Kane led with two goals and a season-high 11 shots. He has had five goals in his last five games.
The Sharks scored in the opening and closing periods while the Blackhawks scored a trio of goals in the second and the third.
The Blackhawks perhaps got their mojo going when they scored the second and third of a combined three special teams goals to start the game off. Previously, Chicago was 0-for-14 with the man advantage.
First, though, it was San Jose’s turn. Chicago set the stage with two penalties taken 15 seconds apart, starting at 8:55. Dylan Strome was called for tripping and Ryan Carpenter whistled for hi-sticking. The Sharks’ Joe Thornton, situated in the right faceoff circle, passed it to Evander Kane, who was able to deflect the puck to the right side of goalie Corey Crawford into the net. This occurred with six seconds left on Strome’s penalty.
The next four goals belonged to the Blackhawks. Alex DeBrincat got assists on the first three.
After exchanging passes with Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith struck from the point with the help of a screen at 4:33. This came a minute after Antti Suomela was penalized for hooking.
Chicago went ahead for good when Kane scored his 32nd goal. He accomplished it with all the attention focused on DeBrincat, even though Kane was corralled by defenseman Radim Simek. The Sharks’ Brent Burns was in the box at the time for roughing.
Brandon Saad made it 3-1 at 17:58 to end the second and Alex Nylander pushed the margin to three goals to open the third at 1:31.
San Jose experienced a bit of relief when Timo Meier tacked on a goal at 6:39.
Kane added his second goal at 16:19 and rookie Dominik Kubalik finished the game off with his 30th goal at 18:03.
Up Next: The Sharks potentially (amidst coronavirus concerns) head to Saint Louis to hopefully cure their blues at 5pm on Friday for game two of their four-game road trip.
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