San Jose, Calif. -
Dustin Byfuglien and Jonathan Toews scored on deflections 90 seconds apart in the second period and the Chicago Blackhawks rolled to their record-tying seventh straight road win in the playoffs, 4-2 over the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of the Western Conference final Tuesday night.
Andrew Ladd and Troy Brouwer also scored and Antti Niemi made 25 saves for the Blackhawks, who have a 2-0 series lead. This is the closest Chicago has been to making the Stanley Cup final since getting there in 1992.
The series moves to Chicago for Game 3 on Friday night and Game 4 on Sunday. That may not be the best thing for the Blackhawks, who are only 3-3 at home this post-season.
Chicago has had its most success on the road, clinching the first two series in Nashville and Vancouver before taking the first two against the top-seeded Sharks in a heavyweight conference final.
The Blackhawks are the fifth team to win seven straight road games in a post-season, joining Colorado (1999), New Jersey (1995), and the New York Islanders (1980 and '82), according to STATS LLC.
Deja vu for Sharks
Patrick Marleau scored both goals for the Sharks, who dropped to 0-5 at home in two trips to the conference final. They also lost the first two at home to Calgary in 2004 before tying the series with two road wins. They lost Game 5 at home and were eliminated the following game - the closest they've ever been to the Stanley Cup.
Now unless they can win at least one game in Chicago to avoid the sweep, the Sharks won't have another shot to win at home this post-season. San Jose has lost all seven playoff series after falling behind 2-0.
The Blackhawks are 17-2 all-time in the playoffs when taking a 2-0 series lead.
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