Berube, Blackhawks top Sharks

CHICAGO -- J.F. Berube made an NHL career-high 42 saves for his first win of the season in the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks at United Center on Friday.
"It means a lot," said Berube, who signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks on July 1 and played 15 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League this season. "You always want to have a good impression for your first game. I know what I can do at this level, so it was just a matter of getting the opportunity to play and showing people what I can do."

Nick Schmaltz had a goal and an assist on his 22nd birthday for the Blackhawks (27-27-8), who won for the third time in four games after losing their previous eight. They trail the St. Louis Blues by 10 points for the second wild into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"Good vibes or something," said Schmaltz, who had a multipoint game on his birthday for the second straight year. "Just feel good on the birthday. Legs felt good, big team win … hopefully we can keep this thing going."
\[WATCH: All Sharks vs. Blackhawks highlights\]
Timo Meier scored and Martin Jones made 33 saves for the Sharks (33-21-8), who have lost two in a row after winning three straight. They are one point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks for second place in the Pacific Division.
"We didn't do enough to score, and that's the bottom line," Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. "I think there were some shots and things. I didn't think we got enough traffic going in, didn't think we had enough speed on our attack. So, you know, we probably deserve one goal."

Schmaltz gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead at 2:01 of the third period when he converted a pass from Anthony Duclair, who had two assists.
"It's a lot more fun coming to the rink when you're winning, enjoying each other, playing well as a team," Schmaltz said. "Hopefully we can keep that good energy and bring it to the rink every day, and build off of that."
Rutta gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at 5:46 of the second period when he followed up his own blocked shot and beat Jones for his sixth goal of the season. No other Blackhawks defenseman has more than three.
"I thought he had a good game," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Rutta. "I thought he had good pace to his game. He's got a good shot. I think he reads the play well, sees plays with the puck. Gives us a lot of options on the back end."

Meier ended Berube's shutout at 12:09 of the third period. Berube made 39 straight saves before the goal.
Anisimov scored an empty-net goal at 19:30 of the third period to make it 3-1.

Goal of the game

Rutta's goal at 5:46 of the second period.

Save of the game

Berube's save against Jannik Hansen at 10:46 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Schmaltz's goal at 2:01 of the third period.

They said it

"It's this time of year, what really matters is two points. It's frustrating to lose. You bounce back after a tough night, did some things well, but you don't win. So that's tough." -- Sharks defenseman Brent Burns
"I think everyone here is trying to prove their best, even though the playoff picture kind of looks almost impossible. Everyone wants to show that we have character in this locker room and everyone wants to play hard for this team. Everyone has pride. It [stinks] to be in this position, but everyone's going to fight to the end." -- Blackhawks goalie J.F. Berube

Need to know

The Sharks have one goal in each of their past two games after scoring 12 in their previous three. They are 0-for-19 on the power play in their past eight games. ... Schmaltz had two points after having one in his previous eight games. It was his 11th multipoint game this season. He had six last season.

What's next

Sharks: At the Minnesota Wild on Sunday (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
Blackhawks: At the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-O, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)