SAN JOSE -- The Sharks get goals in the shootout by Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton to beat the Blackhawks 2-1.
The Sharks have done their best to switch up their lines but the same result, struggling to score goals.
Oddly enough Team Teal scores a goal short-handed having failed to light the lamp on numerous quality scoring chances. Patrick Sharp turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Scott Hannan delivers the puck to Pavelski who skates in and beats Corey Crawford top shelf on the breakaway.
But the Blackhawks still take advantage of the power play and Brandon Saad after a nice cross ice pass from Kris Versteeg with open space from the right circle buries his shot to tie the game.
There were numerous scoring chances by either side but those two goals would be the only ones in the game until the shootout goals decided the outcome.
Although the Sharks have scored only two goals in their last four games, at least they ended their three game losing streak.
Coach Todd McLellan summed it up best after the win:
"The message was let's control what we can control and a lot of that is commitment to defending the right way, being in the right position at the right time... The commitment level had to go up a little bit higher. When you don't score a lot you start to focus on it and you slip in other areas so we had to reset that a little bit. We'll be fighting it until we start scoring consistently but to win games 2-1, 1-0...they count just as much and sometimes they're more gratifying."
Turning point
The goals in the shootout by the Sharks
Game highlights
Contenders
Joe Pavelski - his team leading 29th goal and tied for second place in the NHL. He also scores the first of three goals in the shootout.
Joe Thornton - He has been the Sharks secret scoring weapon of late and his shootout goal ensured the victory.
Corey Crawford - made great save after great save in denying the Sharks from lighting the lamp
Antti Niemi - mirrored Crawford's performance. Other than the two goals scored in the game, nothing was getting by either netminder.
Pretenders
Patrick Sharp - made one mistake with his giveaway and Scott Hannan fed Pavelski on a long pass attempt for the short-handed goal.
The Sharks continue their homestand leading up to the Olympic break hosting the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
Keep your head up,
Ryan Leong