It took time for the offense to click, but San Jose eventually got the goals it coveted on Tuesday night against Chicago in a 3-1 home win that felt like a playoff game from start to finish. Tomas Hertl scored late, his first goal since returning from injury on Thursday, and Patrick Marleau scored his 499th career goal on a special night in San Jose.
Joonas Donskoi is the only significant player missing from the lineup and it appears he’s close to returning, perhaps as soon as Thursday. The Sharks are in business one he gets back. San Jose controlled even-strength possession on Tuesday, dominating the score-adjusted fenwick battle (unblocked shot attempts) 37-24.