Marleau scores two goals in a triumphant return
CHICAGO — Patrick Marleau looked terrific in teal. Just like old times. Marleau scored two goals in his first game back with San Jose, and the Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 54 on Thursday night for their first victory of the season.
“It’s just so exciting to be back and playing and being with this bunch of guys,” Marleau said.
Barclay Goodrow snapped a thirdperiod tie and Brent Burns scored his 200th career goal for San Jose, which had opened with four losses. Kevin Labanc also scored, and Dylan Gambrell had two assists.
Goodrow was alone in the slot when Joe Thornton threw the puck in front 4:47 into the third..
“I thought the third period was maybe the best period we’ve played all year,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said.
Andrew Shaw had two goals for Chicago, which hadn’t played since its seasonopening loss to Philadelphia in Prague last Friday. Dominik Kubalik scored his first NHL goal, and Dylan Strome had a goal and an assist.
“Would have liked us to respond a little better to the adversity that we faced,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said, “because we’re going to face a lot this year.”
Marleau finalized a $700,000, oneyear deal with San Jose this week. He had been a free agent since his contract was bought out by Carolina this summer.
Marleau spent his first 19 seasons with the Sharks. He signed a threeyear, $18.75 million contract with Toronto in 2017 after the Sharks were unwilling to offer a deal longer than two years.
“He’s a goal scorer, that’s what he does,” Thornton said. “He scores goals. Getting a 500goal scorer five games into the year was huge for us.”
Marleau, drafted by San Jose with the No. 2 pick in 1997, increased his franchisebest totals to 510 goals, 1,084 points and 1,494 games played.