Reimer makes 29 saves, Sharks shut out Blackhawks

James Reimer made 29 saves for the San Jose Sharks in a 2-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center in Chicago on Sunday.

Timo Meier scored twice, and Logan Couture had two assists for the Sharks (11-9-1), who started a five-game road trip.
"It's important that we're not digging ourselves into a hole at the beginning of a trip, so tonight it was great to get the two points," San Jose coach Bob Boughner said.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 20 saves for the Blackhawks (7-12-2), who have lost three of five.
"First period, I thought we were all over them," Chicago coach Derek King said. "Second period, we kind of changed the way we wanted to play, and it cost us a little bit. We spent too much time in our zone. Third period, I thought we turned it around. And for the most part, I think that's one of the best games we've played all year."
Meier made it 1-0 at 13:39 of the second period. Couture made a no-look pass between his legs to Rudolfs Balcers, whose shot from the slot was redirected by Meier near the crease.
"I was just standing in front and it hit me," Meier said. "I didn't try to tip it. I was just trying to take the goalie's eyes away. It was a big goal for the team."
Chicago outshot San Jose 11-4 in the first period.
"I wasn't happy with how we were playing in the defensive zone," Boughner said. "[Reimer was] obviously our best player, the reason we got out of the first period 0-0."

Reimer preserved the shutout with a glove save against Jake McCabe in the final minute of the second period and nine saves in the third.
Meier scored an empty-net goal with 1:31 remaining for the 2-0 final.
"We had a game plan that we didn't stick to in the first period, came out a little bit flat and weren't winning enough battles, but our compete in the second and third was much better," Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro said. "We're the kind of team, we have to play physical, we have to play hard, so if we take a period off it's going to hurt us. So, 'Reims' kept us in there for sure."
The Sharks blocked 32 shots, led by Ferraro (seven).
"They did a good job defensively, for sure," Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said. "Not just blocking shots, but also just getting pressure on the puck and keeping us to the outside. Got to give them credit."
Chicago was 0-for-2 on the power play and is 0-for-13 over its past six games.
"It's just amazing, you know, especially going through training camp and the beginning of this season, we were so confident, so comfortable on the power play," Kane said. "It's one of those stretches where, I think, we had chances before and we didn't score. Then all of a sudden you get one, two power plays a game, you kind of get out of rhythm and you don't do your job when it comes up.
"Hopefully we can get it going again and get that confidence like we had at the beginning of the season."
NOTES: It was Reimer's 25th NHL shutout and fourth with the Sharks. … With his two goals, Meier has 20 points in 16 games this season. The only players in Sharks history to score 20 points in fewer games are Joe Thornton (13 games in 2005-06), and
Patrick Marleau
(15 in 2009-10). … Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat had his eight-game point streak end. … Chicago forward Dylan Strome was scratched for a second straight game.