San Jose Sharks 4, Dallas Stars 1: Sharks Lead Series 2-0

1st Period
The Stars took an early penalty when Mike Modano (DAL) was called for hooking, and the Sharks had multiple scoring chances on the delayed penalty call, but they failed to convert. As Modano took his seat, the best powerplay of the playoffs took the ice. It was almost negated when Jere Lehtinen (DAL) broke in alone, but Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) came up with a solid save to keep him off of the scoresheet. The Sharks failed to muster much offense until Patrick Marleau (SJ) sent an impeccable cross-ice feed to Marco Sturm (SJ), whose shot was positively robbed by a full extension from Marty Turco (DAL). Marleau and Sturm then switched positions, and Sturm fed Marleau a pass that was one-timed again, and stopped by Turco again. 

The vacancy of the scoresheet remained for a few more minutes, as Adam Graves (SJ) released a one-timer that was stopped by a two pad stack. However, seconds later Bill Guerin (DAL) controlled the puck below the Sharks goal line and slid a pass back to the point for Philippe Boucher (DAL) to one-time and score, giving the Stars their first lead of the series. 

Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ) then crossed into the Stars' zone, stopped up and fed Niko Dimitrakos (SJ) for a one-time shot to tie the game at 1-1. A few minutes later, Mike Ricci  (SJ) wrapped the puck around the Dallas net on the backhand and released a shot that Marty Turco (DAL) appeared to handle, but it somehow trickled through his pads an into the back of the net. The 1st Period ended with the Sharks outshooting the Stars 14-13 and a 2-1 lead, but Brad Stuart (SJ) ended the period with a hooking penalty to put the Sharks shorthanded.  

2nd Period
Brad Stuart's hooking penalty carried over into the 2nd Period with the Stars on a powerplay. The Sharks managed to keep the Stars' shots on the periphery for the first half of the penalty kill, letting Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) make routine saves to keep his mind in the game and the puck out of the net. Marco Sturm (SJ) and Dan McGillis (CJ) almost converted on a shorthanded chance, but Marty Turco (DAL) shut his five-hole to keep it a one-goal game. 

Physical play proved paramount early in the 2nd Period, with both teams taking hits characteristic off division rivals. Strong defensive effort and solid goaltending furthered the already tense stalemate, until Marco Sturm (SJ) sent a pass to a wide open Scott Thornton for an easy one-timer goal on an outstretched Marty Turco (DAL). it was the third unanswered goal for the Sharks and the first of an otherwise purely defensive period of play. 

Evgeni Nabokov (SJ), carrying over his strong Game 1 performance, managed to parry shot after shot that the Stars unleashed at close and far range. Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ), silent during the series against the Avs, then incredibly broke in, faked Marty Turco (and the Stars defense), and sent a backhander past Turco's diving save attempt to extend the Sharks' lead to 4-1. Sharks captain Patrick Marleau (SJ) then attempted his own close-quarters deke against Marty Turco, but he was robbed by a right pad save. The Stars were outshooting the Sharks 22-19 by the 2nd Intermission. 

3rd Period
Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ), a man possessed, broke in for another scoring opportunity but this time was denied by the glove hand of Marty Turco (DAL). Marco Sturm (SJ) was also denied on a scoring chance, and the Sharks played conservatively against a lackluster and, at times, pitiful Stars' offensive effort. Mike Ricci (SJ) continued his strong physical play, as did the Stars' defensmen, and wraparound attempt after attempt were stopped by Marty Turco (DAL). Marco Sturm (SJ) then broke in alone, crossed the crease, and releases a patented backhand shot that was gloved away by Turco for a seemingly routine save. Adam Graves and Vincent Damphousse (SJ), sensing the underwhelming Dallas confidence, broke in on a two-on-none but were still unable to break through Marty Turco (DAL). The remainder of the period saw Marty Turco (DAL) make save after save, several on one-time shots, to maintain the score. The Sharks finished the game with 4-1 win to take a 2-0 series lead. They outshot the Stars 31-25 in the game. The following players were selected as the three stars of the game: 

1) Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 1 Assist and +2 
2) Mike Ricci (SJ) Registered 1 Goal, 0 Assists and +1
3) Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) Registered 24 Saves on 25 Shots (96%) 

Final Score:
Dallas Stars               1
San Jose Sharks       4
Sharks Lead Series 2-0 

The Sharks and Stars will now travel to the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, where either one team will take a stranglehold on a woebegotten series, or one will attempt a comeback against the vissicitudes of fate. The game will be broadcast on Saturday, June 13th at 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time.