NHL: Chicago 4, San Jose 3 (OT)

January 29, 2010 - 0 comments

San Jose -- Dustin Byfuglien produced the first and last scores of the game Thursday and Chicago, despite blowing a three-goal lead, defeated San Jose 4-3 in overtime.

The Blackhawks ended San Jose's five-game winning streak and moved within one point of the Sharks for the most points (79) in the NHL. Both teams have played 54 games.

Chicago took a 3-0 lead before the first period was half over. Byfuglien started the early surge by beating Evgeni Nabokov with a slapshot 5:02 into the game and Troy Brouwer and Andrew Ladd soon followed with goals.

Joe Pavelski scored twice to bring San Jose within one and Manny Malhotra tied it 4:56 into the third by tipping in a shot.

Byfuglien, however, scored unassisted for the game-winner. Cristobal Huet stopped 34-of-37 shots to get the victory.

It was the fourth and last meeting of the regular season for teams that could well see each other in the playoffs. Chicago won the series 3-1.