Sedin scores game winner as Canucks beat Sharks, 3-2

Vancouver came back to open their first Western Conference final in 17 years with a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

San Jose took a 2-1 lead into the third period thanks to Patrick Marleau’s goal on its only power play, and a gift goal for Joe Thornton off the stick of Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo. But after failing to finish several great chances late in the second, Vancouver converted in the third.

Alex Burrows skated onto Henrik’s chip pass and behind Dan Boyle on a left wing rush before feeding a pass across and back to a pinching Bieksa for a shot past Niemi’s blocker.

Henrik Sedin helped set up Kevin Bieksa’s tying goal 7:02 into the third period, and scored the winner on a power play 1:19 later in the 3rd. Game 2 Wednesday night in Vancouver.