San Jose, CA (My Sportsbook) - Two of the bigger disappointments in the league face off tonight in San Jose when the Sharks welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to HP Pavilion.

San Jose, the defending Pacific Division champions, are currently 13th in the Western Conference -- three points back of equally under-achieving Chicago.

The Sharks, though, enter Monday's tilt on a rare winning note after Saturday's 3-2 triumph over the Calgary Flames. Vincent Damphousse scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to lift San Jose to the win, while Alyn McCauley tallied a goal and an assist for the Sharks, who won for the first time in five games (1-3-0-1).

Vesa Toskala finished with 32 saves for the Sharks, who will play six of their next seven in the friendly confines of the Shark Tank, where they have won four of their last five. On the year, San Jose is 15-14-4-1 at home.

Chicago, meanwhile, continues to play out its string and enters Monday's contest on the heels of Friday's 4-0 shutout over the Phoenix Coyotes. Steve Sullivan continued his current hot streak as he scored two goals to lead Steve Sullivan continued his current hot streak as he scored two goals to lead the attack.

Sullivan, who leads Chicago with 23 goals and 53 points, has seven markers in his last three games, including another two-goal night in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Anaheim. He started his run with a hat trick against Boston last Sunday.

Jocelyn Thibault turned aside all 21 shots in his eighth shutout of the season for the Blackhawks, who won for just the second time in 12 games. Thibault is now tied with Ottawa's Patrick Lalime for the league lead in blankings.

Chicago, which has dropped 10 of its last 12 overall to fall out of playoff contention, has lost four of five on opposition ice and is 11-17-6-3 away from home on the season.

San Jose is 10-6-3 in its last 19 matchups with Chicago and unbeaten in the last five series games played on home-ice (3-0-2).