San Jose Sharks-Chicago Blackhawks: Road Warriors Take Game One

The San Jose Sharks came into Game One 5-1 at home in the playoffs and on a five-game winning streak. Perhaps because HP Pavilion was voted by players as the most difficult place to play in the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks came into San Jose 5-1 on the road in the playoffs, with a five-game winning streak of their own. Something had to give.

It was not the road warriors. While the Sharks had the edge in most statistical categories, they lost in the only one that matters at this time of year, falling 2-1.

In the process, Chicago managed to take home ice advantage from San Jose. It was their third win in three tries in Northern California this season, and their fourth in five tries against the Sharks overall this season.

The Sharks dominated in the faceoff circle, 39-29 (57.4 percent), contributing to greater puck possession and a 5:0 edge in power plays. San Jose even blocked more shots than Chicago (23-19), and missed just one more (14-13) while getting five more to the net (45-40).

But Antti Niemi was able to see all the shots coming his way, with the only one going in off the leg of Duncan Keith on a power play. Evgeni Nabokov did not see the shot by Patrick Sharp that went in between the legs of a teammate, and the other was an open one-timer by Dustin Byfuglien.

On that play, Dany Heatley failed to step up to take Buff, and Rob Blake got there too late; the "Burger" line was out for both goals scored against San Jose.

One area the Sharks did struggle got them into trouble in the second period, when they surrendered their lead: San Jose had a whopping 20 giveaways, a dangerous thing against a speedy transition offence like Chicago's. The Sharks were minus-eight in giveaway-takeaway ratio, while the Hawks were plus-two.

It is just one of three areas the Sharks must improve on to win Game Two. To see more on the adjustments they need to make, please see my preview on Shark-Infested Blogger.