By Matthew T.F. Harrington

AP photo: San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) blocks one of the 33 shots he stopped on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks at SAP Center

The San Jose Sharks continued their winning ways at home Wednesday night, topping the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in a nail-biter. Logan Couture and Joel Ward each scored in the first period, allowing the Sharks to survive after an Artemi Panerin goal for their sixth win at SAP this year.

Joe Pavleksi set couture up on the one-timer from the right face-off dot to open up the scoring 11:32 into the first. The Sharks were on a 4-on-3 power play when the first power play unit produced.

Just three minutes and ten seconds later Joel Ward scored short-handed after blocking a shot. He then skated unabated to pull Hawks goalie Corey Crawford one-on-one for just his second goal of the season.

Panarin scored with 12:11 left in the second, but Martin Jones proved strong in net for the Sharks. The San Jose netminder turned away 33 of 34 shots on goal, allowing just one goal over his 120 minutes at home after 6 games on the road.

The Sharks face the New York Islanders in a matinee Friday Afternoon before taking the ice Saturday night as part of their prolonged homestand.