Sharks Remain Confident For Game 2

The Sharks say they know how to come from behind

 The Sharks and the Blackhawks return to the ice tonight for Game 2 of their conference finals.  The team in teal is already in the hole after losing 2-1 on Sunday.

 "For the most part we played pretty well," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle told the Associated Press Monday. "We made a few defensive mistakes. But again, to get 45 shots against a team like that, keep them at two goals. It could have gone either way."

The Sharks out shot the Blackhawks 45-40, drew five power plays to none for Chicago and controlled the play for long stretches of the game. 

The Blackhawk series started just like series one and two in Denver and Detroit.  They played better than the other guys, but they didn't win.

That fact, and the team's ultimate comeback each time led to questions whether the team can draw upon that experience to help them this round.
     
"Well, it can't hurt us," coach Todd McLellan said. "But what I will say is this isn't Colorado, this is Chicago. So it's a completely different team and monster, if you will. The ability to overcome is going to become very important. Obviously we're behind in the series. We expect our players to rebound."

Another thing that gives the Sharks confidence is the number of chances they were able to generate. The second line of Ryane Clowe, Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi combined for 17 shots in the game but did not manage a single goal.
     
Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau both had good chances in the slot in the third period but were unable to finish, and San Jose peppered the net with quality shots on most of its power plays.

The Sharks figure it's only a matter of time until those chances lead to goals if they play with the same level of intensity.

"We had some pretty quality scoring chances," Clowe said. "Getting those chances is one thing, capitalizing is another. With this group of guys and the amount of skill and the ability to score goals we have, if we get quality chances like that, we'll put some of those in."
     
As for Chicago, they have another view of Sunday night win and hope to keep the winning advantage.

Blackhawk coach Joel Quenneville wants to see the same level of desperation his team had in winning the second game in the previous two series after losing the opener.
     
"I just think that we got to react like we shouldn't be satisfied, we haven't accomplished anything, and feel like we have to win that game," Quenneville said.

The puck drops at The Tank at 7 p.m. Go Sharks.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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