Blackhawks get good start

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Antti Niemi might finally be putting to rest all those questions about whether he is the Chicago Blackhawks’ weak link.

Niemi made 44 saves and Dustin Byfuglien scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:45 remaining in regulation to help Chicago get off to a fast start for a change this postseason by beating the San Jose Sharks 2-1 Sunday in the opener of the Western Conference final.

“He’s been good for us all year,” forward Kris Versteeg said. “Everyone seemed to be doubting him except us. We’re confident in him.”

Niemi stopped almost everything that came his way in his first career game against the Sharks, helping Chicago kill four of five power plays including a 6-on-4 advantage in the closing minute. That snapped a run of four straight series-opening losses for Chicago.

Patrick Sharp also scored for the Blackhawks, who will try to take a 2-0 series lead on Tuesday night in San Jose. Chicago improved to 6-1 on the road this postseason.

“It’s something we really wanted to establish this series,” defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “We wanted to come out hard and get the first win of the series and try to play from ahead for a change.”

Rookie Jason Demers scored the lone goal for San Jose, which fell to 0-4 at home all-time in two trips to the conference final.

The Sharks managed a first-period power play goal against Niemi and nothing else.

Joe Thornton’s line with Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley was on the ice for both Chicago goals. Thornton plus-minus rating this postseason fell to minus-8, but coach Todd McLellan had no regrets using his star center for a key defensive zone faceoff against the opposition’s top line.

“Joe has been put in that situation all year,” McLellan said. “We played our big players against the other team’s top lines. They’ve been very successful. So I feel very comfortable with them on the ice in that situation.”