Kahkonen’s 27 Saves Lead Sharks Past Blackhawks

SAN JOSE (AP) — Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 27 shots and the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Saturday night.

Timo Meier had a goal and an assist for the Sharks, who won for just the second time in 13 games. Tomas Hertl, Jasper Weatherby and Nick Bonino also scored.

Chicago outshot San Jose 28-19, but only managed a second-period goal by Tyler Johnson. Kevin Lankinen made 15 saves.

Sharks center Nick Bonino, center left, is congratulated by defenseman Brent Burns (88), center Thomas Bordeleau, center right, and center Scott Reedy (54) after scoring against the Blackhawks in the third period April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Kahkonen won his second consecutive game after going winless in his first seven starts after coming over in a trade with Minnesota on March 21. The Finland native won for just the third time since Feb. 20.

The Blackhawks have brought out the best in Kahkonen this season. He beat them on back-to-back nights in January while with the Wild, stopping 68 of 72 shots in those games.

He was busy in the first period, making nine saves, and he denied Chicago on a dangerous 2-on-1 opportunity in the second.

San Jose was outshot 9-4 in the first but grabbed a 1-0 lead on Weatherby’s first NHL goal since Feb. 24. Sasha Chmelevski’s shot on goal ricocheted to teammate Scott Reedy, who fed Weatherby for an easy scoring opportunity.

Meier made a steal and fed Hertl on a perfectly executed 2-on-1 for a 2-0 lead early in the second. Then Meier scored one of his own later in the period, a sequence that started when he stole a pass from rookie defenseman Alex Vlasic.

Johnson got one back for Chicago with his third goal of the season late in the second, but Bonino’s power-play goal at 6:19 of the third ended any Chicago comeback hopes.

A WELCOME RETURN

Left wing Alexander Barabanov made his presence felt after returning from an upper-body injury that sidelined him the previous four games. He assisted on Meier’s second-period goal and was part of a rejuvenated effort by San Jose’s top line.

DELIA UPDATE

Collin Delia, Chicago’s backup goalie, was available Saturday after he left Thursday’s game early due to cramping.

UP NEXT

Sharks: Play at Vegas on Sunday.

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