Photo credit: Charles Rex Arbogast AP Photo

~By Pearl Allison Lo

~San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones earned his first win against the Chicago Blackhawks  Tuesday, in a 2-0, 33-save win.

The last time Jones and San Jose had a shutout was January 9. On the other side, Chicago was shutout for the third time in seven games.

With the win, the Sharks remained in second place in the Pacific Division, as they halted the Blackhawks’ three-game win streak.

In the first, a goal by Chicago’s fourth line and former Shark Brandon Mashinter was waved off after a challenge based on goalie interference. San Jose is now 23-2-1 after scoring first. When leading or behind after two, respectively, the Sharks are now 20-0-2 and the Blackhawks 3-15-2.

San Jose outhit Chicago in the opening period 11-3. Five of the hits were made by Tommy Wingels. The Sharks also won the special teams battle overall, killing two of all three power plays in the first.

San Jose got their first power play opportunity at 8:30 into the second and were able to capitalize. Joe Thornton fished the puck from the boards, tossing it to Logan Couture, who passed the puck down the ice. Patrick Marleau then slapped the puck from the point, as it went off Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, off both posts and into the net.

The second did not end well for the Sharks, as Chicago caught up with shots on goal. Quick, slick passing set up Chris Tierney as the final link, but he was unable to seal the deal. Then with 21.2 seconds left, Tierney was called for tripping.  

San Jose killed off the last penalty to start the third.

The Sharks scored on their first attempt at the empty net at 18:18. Joe Thornon scored his third goal in as many games. The Sharks have now scored at least two goals in 14 straight games.  

The Blackhawks outshot San Jose 11-6 in the final stanza.

Game notes: Overall, the Sarks outhit Chicago 26-13 and San Jose lost faceoffs 22-34. Game leaders were the Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa with five shots, Wingels with six hits, San Jose’s Brent Burns with four blocks and the Sharks’ Marc-Edouard Vlasic with 30 minutes of ice time Chicago’s Artemi Panarin was a late scratch. San Jose’s Brenden Dillon did not come out for the second period. He suffered an upper body injury. With an even road trip trending up in the rear view mirror, the Sharks return home to host the Chicago Flames Thursday at 7:30pm.