The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks meet Saturday in NHL action at the SAP Center. The Chicago Blackhawks need to rebound from an 0-2 start. The San Jose Sharks need a win to rebound from a 0-3 start.

The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 1 goal per game and are scoring on 40 percent of their power play opportunities. Max Domi leads Chicago with 1 goal, Patrick Kane has 1 assist and Andreas Athanasiou has 5 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 55.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Petr Mrazek has given up 5 goals on 35 shots faced, and Alex Stalock has allowed 1 goal on 37 shots.

The San Jose Sharks are averaging 1.5 goals per game and are scoring on 12.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Luke Kunin leads San Jose with 1 goal, Mario Ferraro has 2 assists and Timo Meier has 11 shots on goal. Defensively, the San Jose Sharks are allowing 3.5 goals per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Kaapo Kahkonen has allowed 3 goals on 18 shots faced, and James Reimer has allowed 3 goals on 31 shots.

The Blackhawks are 18-38 in their last 56 road games and 17-39 in their last 56 overall. The Sharks are 2-6 in their last 8 home games and 15-37 in their last 52 overall. The under is 5-2 in Blackhawks last 7 overall. The under is 6-1 in Sharks last 7 home games. The Blackhawks are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in San Jose and 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be one of the worst teams in hockey this season, and they haven’t looked good through 2 games. However, let’s not act like the San Jose Sharks are lighting the world on fire through 3 games, and it doesn’t help them here that they’re on the end of a back to back. I’m not running to the window to back either of these clubs, but if forced to pick, I’m going to grab the team that’s paying out plus money. That’s the Chicago Blackhawks.