CHICAGO — It didn’t take long for Patrick Marleau to make a huge impact in his return to the Sharks.
Just seconds after a Sharks power play began Thursday, Marleau redirected an Erik Karlsson shot from the point past Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford at the 19:43 mark of the first period, tying the game 2-2. Marleau’s goal was the 552nd of his NHL career, and the 509th with the Sharks.
Marleau, who signed a one-year contract to return the Sharks on Wednesday, had just one practice with the team later in the afternoon before he suited up Thursday for his 789th consecutive game, a streak that began in 2009.