Hawks exploit defense of Sharks' top line

SAN JOSE, Calif. - As dangerous as the Sharks' top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley can be offensively, their collective work in their own end sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.

The Blackhawks exposed those defensive liabilities late in Game 1 on Sunday when Dustin Byfuglien scored the winning goal with 6:45 to play thanks to the work of linemates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane against the Thornton line.

"Sometimes when you play an offensive line like that, I know that's probably not the matchup we want, but when you get out there against them the biggest thing is to try to keep them in their own end," Hawks winger Patrick Kane said.

"They're so offensive that when they're in their own end they're probably thinking offense first the whole time. If you get them thinking defense they're probably out of their comfort zone."

Thornton, Marleau and Heatley were on the ice for both goals in the Hawks' 2-1 win. Thornton is minus-8 now in the playoffs.

"It's one of those things if you have a good plus-minus you think a lot about it and if you don't you normally don't think about it," Thornton said.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan has thought about it and admitted Thornton needed to play better.

"That needs to come down a little bit," McLellan said of Thornton's minus-8. "We're going to probably put the first two series behind us, but to come out on the back end of two (Sunday) is something we didn't plan for and we'd like to change that.

"But we can't just talk Joe. We have to talk a line, we have to talk a group of five or six, the goaltender included."

Heatley had 5 shots in the Game 1 loss, but his lack of scoring could become a concern for the Sharks if it continues.

Heatley has just 2 goals in the playoffs after scoring 39 during the regular season. The winger has just the 2 goals in his last 18 games counting the regular season.

"That stat is not an encouraging one, but the fact he had some really good looks at the net (Sunday), with a shooter like him they're eventually going to go in," McLellan said.

"He does (need to score), but we all have to find a way to get one more past (Antti) Niemi and not just leave it on Dany Heatley's shoulders. He does need to find a way to put the puck in the net, especially on the power play.

"That's what he's here for and that's what we believe he can do. I believe he will get that done as the series goes on."