Persist in the end is victory

Blackhawks owe road success to big scorers, versatile checking lines.I don't think this is revelatory, but the San Jose Sharks are in deep trouble.Persist in the end is victory-NHL players.
The Blackhawks VS The Sharks
At the HP Pavilion, where the Sharks fell to the Blackhawks 4-2 on Tuesday night, fans saw how effective or frustrating -- depending on your alliance --matching lines can be.In some series, it doesn't much matter. Sometimes, both coaches like their top lines facing off against each other -- power on power. But other times, one coach has a different idea.
Offensively, the same is true. The Sharks have to find a way to penetrate the middle of the ice. They aren't getting nearly enough forechecking pressure on the 'Hawks defense due in large part to the mobility of its rearguards. Led by Duncan Keith and his over 30 minutes of ice-time, the Blackhawks blueliners moved the puck efficiently in Game 2, thus limiting the Sharks to seven third-period shots on goal even though they trailed and were looking to rally. Throughout the first two games, when the Sharks did penetrate, goaltender Antti Niemi was there to stymie them.
Yes, the Sharks can come back on the Blackhawks, who have picked up only three of their 10 playoff wins on home ice. But they must first stem the Blackhawks' dictating matchups, better goaltending, more balanced scoring -- all three of their top lines scored at even strength in Game 2 -- and controlling the middle of the ice. With all of that to deal with, the Sharks and their coaching staff surely can use the extra day between games as the scene shifts to Chicago.
As it goes, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville knows which players he wants against the Sharks' top line; and even though he doesn't have the luxury of the last change here in San Jose, he's been able to get his checking line out there against the Sharks' top scorers -- Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley -- with some success.
At last,There were about eight minutes into the third period, with the Sharks down 3-1, Jumbo Joe, known for his jovial demeanor and laid-back style, showed a sign of frustration. On the draw against Bolland, and even before the puck dropped, Thornton slashed his counterpart on the wrist -- "a love tap," Bolland said. He was sent to the box for two minutes. The act caught Bolland by surprise.

"When you take a draw, you go for a puck, not a wrist, right?" Bolland said.
McLellan lamented, "[Their first goal] took some of the energy out of the building. Took a lot of energy out of our team. Took us a while to get our heads up again, if you will, for lack of a better term."
For the Sharks' sake, hopefully that won't be the only shift that occurs or this series will be over fast.Persist in the end is victory.Come on.