Blackhawks jump out to early lead on Sharks

By Chris Kuc

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Distraction? What distraction?

The Blackhawks shook off the bothersome off-ice news that has hounded them since Tuesday when they raced to a three-goal lead within the first nine minutes of their game against the Sharks and hold a 3-1 lead after one period at HP Pavilion.

Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer and Andrew Ladd have scored goals for the Hawks, who are playing the seventh of their eight-game road trip.

Joe Pavelski got the Sharks back in it with a goal for the Sharks.

The Hawks have been hit with criticism since photos of Kane, John Madden and Kris Versteeg shirtless and drinking in a limo with three unidentified women while in Vancouver surfaced Tuesday on the Internet. Before the game the Hawks vowed not to let the incident be a distraction and thus far they've accomplished that.

Cristobal Huet is in goal for the Hawks. He is opposed by Evgeni Nabokov.