Linesperson Julen Fournier breaks up a scrum between Sharks Vincent Desharnais and Blackhawks Frank Nazar (91) – Photo by Jack Lima
SAN JOSE – The Sharks defeated the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, on Monday night to get within two points of the Los Angeles Kings and the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves in the win.
“Take it, move on. That’s just what you do this time of year,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Big two points, we’ll look at it, we’ll make the corrections, and move on.”
The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead ahead of the midway point of the opening frame on a strike by Ryan Donato .
“We certainly pushed. They are a really good transition team. I thought we gave up too many grade A (chances) in the second. I think we have better in us,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said.
The score remained 1-0 to Chicago into the second period when William Eklund tied the game, 1-1, in the seventh minute of the frame.
“Tried to stay on the puck on the defensive side there,” Eklund said. “They made a play on the blue line, and I was just trying to go, and it went in.”
Kiefer Sherwood put the Sharks up, 2-1, later in the middle frame, and Will Smith pushed the lead to 3-1 early in the third.
“That was a great all-around play. Good forecheck, and then (Celebrini) made a play down to (Graf) and Graf made a great behind-the-back pass to me,” Smith said.
Frank Nazar hit off the power play for Chicago to trim the deficit to 3-2 at 6:09 of the third for the final count.
“Feels good. I thought we were moving the puck well. (Bedard) up top (on the power-play) works really well. He sees the ice really well. If that is what’s open, that’s what we’ll take,” Nazar said.
Spencer Knight made 20 saves in the loss.
Match report by Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Sharks Tyler Toffoli (73) and Blackhawks Anton Frondell (16) follow the puck after their faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks mascot SJ Sharkie celebrates the Sharks win over the Blackhawks – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic stops a shot by Tyler Bertuzzi (59) as Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) moves in for defensive support – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic covers a shot by Tyler Bertuzzi (59) as Sharks Mario Ferraro (38) Vincent Desharnais (5) and Barclay Goodrow (23) provide support – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward William Eklund (72) and Blackhawks Frank Nazar (91) fight for the puck in front of Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic – Photo by Jack Lima
Ryan Donato (second from left) celebrates his first period goal with teammates Wyatt Kaiser (44) Frank Nazar (91) Ryan Greene (20) and Connor Bedard (98) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks center Maklin Celebrini (71) moves the puck away from Connor Bedard (98) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) congratulates goalie Alex Nedeljkovic after the Sharks 3-2 win over the Blackhawks – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) looks to control a rebound after goalie Alez Nedeljkovic stops a shot – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) fights Blackhawks center Sacha Boisvert (12) for the puck behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane (26) hold off Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) as he moves around the net – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) chases the puck in front of Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard takes a shot on goal during first period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard fires a shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard attempts to move around Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and Sharks Maklin Celebrini (71) follow the puck after a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
Blackhawks center Anton Frondell (16) and Sharks Michael Misa (77) faceoff during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
