The Sharks continue to find that timely goal to give themselves a 2-1 lead heading into the final period of Game one.
Sharks Vs. Canucks, Game 1: San Jose And Vancouver Trade Goals In Second, San Jose Leads 2-1
The Canucks tied the game early in the second period as Maxim Lapierre made a clean shot in front of the net to beat an out of position Antti Niemi. Niemi started the play by playing the puck behind the net. The puck ended up on the stick of Raffi Torres who cycled the puck back behind the net to Jannik Hansen who found Lapierre in front of the net.
Patrick Marleau regained the lead for the Sharks doing something that the Canucks haven't been able to do in this game, scoring on the powerplay. Marleau tipped a Dan Boyle shot over the shoulder of Roberto Luongo to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead.
The Canucks have had the advantage in the powerplay department as well in the game with three chances compared to the Sharks one. The Sharks have done a good job in shutting down the Canucks powerplay, something they have done well in the playoffs. San Jose has allowed only nine goals on 52 attempts coming into this game, good for seventh among this year’s playoff teams.
The Canucks tried to tie the game late in the second period with a shot in front of the net that resulted in a scrum of about seven players all trying to fight for the puck. Vancouver got two shots off after the puck squirted out of the scrum that were either blocked by Niemi or Sharks players in front of the net.
Besides the miscues in playing the puck, both goaltenders have played well in this game. The Canucks outshot the Sharks 13-12 in the period and are now outshooting the Sharks 24-22 in the game. Roberto Luongo has 20 saves while Antti Niemi has 23 in the game.
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