Martin Jones Makes 33 Saves, Sharks Blank Blackhawks 2-0
CHICAGO (AP) - Martin Jones and the San Jose Sharks did a good job of frustrating the Blackhawks.
So did an apparent Chicago goal that was disallowed following a video review.
Jones made 33 saves for his fifth shutout this season and Patrick Marleau scored a power-play goal in the second period to lead San Jose past Chicago 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Joe Thornton added a long empty-netter with 1:42 left.
Marleau's goal, on the Sharks' only man advantage, ended his six-game drought and was just his second in his last 17. But it was all the offense San Jose needed to improve to 18-8-2 on the road, best in the Western Conference.
"You knew they were going to come at some point; they've got such a skilled team," Jones said. "I thought all night we were really solid."
The Sharks, who ended Chicago's three-game winning streak, are 10-2-2 in their last 14.
"We made them come through us," San Jose's Joe Pavelski said. "We had some big blocks. It's good to see."
Jones rebounded to earn his 12th career shutout after allowing five goals on 29 shots in a 6-2 loss at Nashville on Saturday. He is 9-2-1 in his last 12 starts and 16-5-2 on the road.
"He's learning to be a starter," coach Peter DeBoer said. "It's a whole new job for him at this level. I think he's starting to get the hang of that."
An apparent goal by Chicago's Brandon Mashinter with 2:37 left in the first period would have put Chicago ahead 1-0. But it was disallowed following DeBoer's successful video challenge for goalie interference.
Mashinter deflected in a bouncing puck off his right shinguard with no kicking motion, but Chicago's Dennis Rasmussen was in the crease and made contact with Jones.
Following the game, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was still fuming about the call.
He was asked about the play in the first question of his postgame news conference and answered it, but then abruptly threw his arms in the air and left.
"I don't know the rules anymore or something's changed because my understanding - played a lot of hockey - that I don't know," Quenneville said. "I think everyone has an interpretation of what's a goal and what's a bad goal, but I can't believe it."
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 25 saves as the defending Stanley Cup champions were blanked for the sixth time this season.
The Blackhawks came out flat off a 5-1 win at Dallas on Saturday night that strengthened their hold on first place in the Central Division.
Chicago never sustained pressure after the disallowed goal.
"Just got an unlucky bounce there pretty much," Crawford said. "We didn't have the same jump that we usually do. It was just one of those games where the puck wasn't going in."
Chicago's Artemi Panarin, who leads NHL rookies with 52 points, was ill and missed his first game this season. He was replaced by slumping Teuvo Teravainen at left wing on Chicago's top line with NHL leading scorer Patrick Kane and center Artem Anisimov.
Teravainen entered with no goals in his last 14 games and only one in his last 23.
Marleau opened the scoring with a power-play a goal at 9:09 of the second. His shot from the right point deflected off Chicago's Jonathan Toews and ticked in off the right post with traffic in front of Crawford.
The Sharks had the better chances in the second, but Jones made a point-blank save on Marian Hossa with 1:09 left to preserve San Jose's 1-0 lead.
The Sharks and Jones kept the Blackhawks at bay in the final 2 minutes after Crawford was pulled for an extra attacker.
NOTES: The Blackhawks played their first game at the United Center since Jan. 24 and started a run of four home games in seven nights. ... The Sharks return home, where they are 10-12-2, for two games before heading out on a five-game trip. ... Marleau appeared in his 512th straight game and is third on the NHL's active ironman list.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
