San Jose looked to create a scoring opportunity directly following the Red Wings whistled-off goal, but turnovers in Detroit's zone lead to blown chances. Still, they forced Jimmy Howard to make a couple saves, and then the Red Wings drew a power play after a hit on Joe Pavelski from Justin Abdelkader.
The Sharks started very strong on their power play, but the Red Wings defense started stronger. Dan Boyle did a great job of keeping it in zone for over a minute while Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau created shots on goals. They fired off several shots on goal but were unable to convert any of them before Detroit finally got the puck out of their zone to end the power play.
They continued their strong play though, and got the puck back in Detroit's zone and kept it there, before Pavel Datsyuk took got the pass off a steal and took it down ice right in front of Antti Niemi, where he passed to Darren Helm at the last second who almost got the goal, but Niemi defended well.
Derek Joslin was called again on a penalty for San Jose and the Red Wings power play unit took the ice once again. Antti Niemi had a good save off of a Brian Rafalski shot that seemed to surprise everyone, and got the cover-up after a Tomas Holmstrom shot.
With thirty seconds to go on the power play, the Sharks created a turnover and a two-on-one ensued down the ice with Dany Heatley controlling the puck and Joe Thornton opposite, a couple stick moves from Heatley and a very quick, fluid and sly pass to Thornton, the Sharks captain put it in net to get the shorthanded goal and tie the game up at one-all.
Hold the phone - just as I was about to publish this update, Ryane Clowe was called on a penalty against Niklas Kronwall. Detroit couldn't get the puck in net for the first minute, and then Johan Franzen put it in net with nobody around him to put Detroit up 2-1 in the first period.
And now .. Joe Thornton goes to the penalty box for San Jose after a holding call. Detroit has a power play with forty seconds remaining in the period. Not much to report for that forty seconds as the period ends with Detroit leading 2-1 and outshooting the Sharks 16-9.
Fear The Fin has their gameday thread for discussion, so head on over.