The San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks at the SAP Center at San Jose for this Western Conference showdown Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 4 p.m. ET.
Christian Post Report – San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture (39) reacts after scoring the game-winning goal against Los Angeles Kings in the overtime period during Game 3 of their NHL Western Conference semifinal playoff hockey game in San Jose, California, May 18, 2013.
The two teams have met twice this regular season, both getting a win apiece.
In the first meeting, the Blackhawks started perfectly, getting a 3-1 lead after the first period behind goals from Trevor van Riemsdyk, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Joe Pavelski scored twice in the game but was unable to get any help from his teammates as Chicago went on to win the game 5-2.
In their second meeting, the Sharks were able to get revenge as they played as hosts. Melker Karlsson opened the game with a wrist shot inside the first six minutes of the match, and Joe Thornton closed things out with a backhand in the 59th minute to get two points. Antti Niemi was excellent for the Sharks, saving all 31 attempts from Chicago, notably going saving three shot attempts while they were shorthanded.
Then-Blackhawk player Antti Raanta took the goalie responsibility instead of Corey Crawford and the Fin had a long night. He only faced 20 shots but only stopped 18.
As for injuries, Matt Irwin is the most recent San Jose player to be sidelined as he suffered an upper body injury early in the month. Raffi Torres and Mike Brown have been out for a long period as they suffered knee and leg injuries, respectively, back in December.
Good news is that Brown is now listed as day-to-day.
The Blackhawks may be only missing one player, but the absence of Patrick Kane is a big blow to Chicago. The winger crashed into the boards against the Carolina Panthers and underwent surgery to repair a left clavicle fracture.
His timeline to return is said to be around 12 weeks.
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Source : Christian Post