The San Jose Sharks couldn’t overcome a slow start and their own parade to the penalty box in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday at the United Center.
The Sharks trailed by two after a sluggish first period and allowed a power play goal by Nick Foligno just 43 seconds into the second period to fall behind 3-0.
The Sharks cut the Blackhawks’ lead to two on two occasions, including in the third period when Fabian Zetterlund scored his second of the season at the 2:52 mark to make the score 4-2. But San Jose (0-2-2) could not get any closer, leaving Ryan Warsofsky still looking for his first win as an NHL head coach.
Connor Bedard had two assists for the Blackhawks (2-2-1) and now has seven points in five games this season.
Mikael Granlund assisted on both Sharks goals, with Tyler Toffoli scoring his third of the season at the 18:17 mark of the second period off a pass from William Eklund to cut the Blackhawks lead to 3-1.
But Jason Dickinson scored a pretty goal for Chicago at the 2:19 mark of the third period, as he came from the side of the net, took a pass from Joey Anderson, and beat Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek from in close.
Tyler Bertuzzi also scored a power goal for Chicago as the Sharks were shorthanded a season-high seven times. San Jose had killed 11 straight penalties in its first three games of the season.
Vanecek allowed three goals on 23 shots in the first two periods. In that time, the Sharks managed just 11 shots on Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek, although behind Toffoli, Granlund and Eklund, was busier in the third period.
The Sharks are now 0-11-3 in October games since a 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 27, 2022, at SAP Center.
The Sharks’ road trip ends Friday night in Winnipeg against the Jets.
