SAN JOSE, Calif. | Defensemen Ian White and Niclas Wallin scored their first goals of the postseason, and Antti Niemi made 33 saves to help the San Jose Sharks take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series over the Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 victory Sunday.
White scored on a power play in the first period and Wallin extended the lead early in the third period as the Sharks put together two of their best back-to-back games to jump on top of the Red Wings for the second straight year.
While Detroit could blame a lack of rest for falling into a 3-0 hole to San Jose a year ago following a seven-game first-round series, the Red Wings were well-rested this year after sweeping Phoenix. But that made no difference against a determined Sharks team that has won 10 of its past 12 games against Detroit.
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