Jan 31, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) and San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) exchange words during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks have been two of the best teams going in the recent years and that has produced some entertaining, fast-paced hockey between the two teams. Chicago continued their recent run of success, making it to the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the Sharks faltered this season in missing the postseason for the first time in 11 seasons. With the Western Conference Finals beginning today, let’s take a look at how the Sharks fared against the Blackhawks this past season.
Nov. 9 at Chicago
San Jose headed to the Midwest early in the season for their only trip to Chicago. The Blackhawks jumped all over the Sharks, scoring three goals within a two-and-a-half minute span of the first to take a 3-0 lead.
San Jose would answer back one minute later behind Joe Pavelski with his sixth goal of the year to make it a 3-1 game after one period of play. Pavelski would get his second of the game on the power play to cut the deficit to 3-2 after two periods.
But the Blackhawks were too much for the Sharks to handle on this night as Bryan Bickell and Jonathan Toews scored third-period goals to give Chicago a 5-2 victory.
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Jan. 31 vs. Chicago
The two squared off for the first time in more than two months as the Blackhawks visited SAP Center on the last day of January. The Sharks had come off back-to-back victories over the rival Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings and were looking to make it three straight wins.
Melker Karlsson got the Sharks off-and-running at the 5:09 mark of the first period with his eighth goal of the year from Joe Thornton and Matt Irwin. From there, Antti Niemi took over against his former teammates.
Niemi made 31 saves, including 15 during the second period, as he recorded his 31st career shutout. Thornton would add an empty-net goal late in the third for the final 2-0 margin as San Jose evened up the season series.
March 14 vs. Chicago
The final matchup of the year between the two sides was matinee affair back at SAP Center. The Sharks and Blackhawks traded goals in each of the first two period. Patrick Sharp got Chicago on the board in the first, while Karlsson answered for San Jose.
In the second period, the each team recorded a power-play tally as Duncan Keith scored his eighth for the Blackhawks, while Thornton registered his 14th for the Sharks.
However, the third period was all Chicago as they took full control of the game. The Blackhawks scored four times in the final frame to take this one 6-2 as the Sharks were simply overmatched.
Chicago won the season series and helped contribute to San Jose’s late season collapse with another demoralizing loss. The Blackhawks outscored the Sharks by an 11-6 margin over the three games.