Final Score: Blackhawks 2, Sharks 1

The two top seeds in the West have met in the NHL Conference Finals, and for good reason.

The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are two of the most explosive scoring teams in all of the NHL, with stars lining their rosters in every phase.

But in Sunday's Game 1, it wasn't the high-powered offenses that stole the show. Instead, it was a classic duel between goaltenders that saw just 3 total goals scored on 85 shots.

The Sharks had 45 shots on goal, and the Blackhawks had 40. But just 3 total shots found the back of the net, as the Blackhawks hung on for a 2-1 win in Game 1.

Chicago's young goaltender Antti Niemi had the game of his life, stopping 44 shots and allowing just 1 first-period Power Play goal to the Sharks. Niemi was the first star of the game and proved that the Blackhawks can win low-scoring games if need-be in this series.

Niemi was just a bit better than San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov. The 9-year veteran goalie for the Sharks, Nabokov had 38 saves of his own and allowed just 2 goals to the young, high-flying offensive squad of the Blackhawks. Nabokov was named the second star of the game, but it just wasn't enough to allow his Sharks to win.

The Sharks took an early 1-0 lead on Jason Demers' first period Power Play goal, but they would be shutout for the next 50 minutes of play.

San Jose had 45 shots and did not commit a single penalty all game, but still lost. They also won the faceoff battle, 39-29.

Chicago had 40 shots and committed 5 separate two-minute penalties. But Niemi was able to kill every Power Play after he allowed the first early goal.

It was Patrick Sharp's even-strength goal in the second period that tied the score at 1. And then Dustin Byfuglien scored in the third period to give the Blackhawks the insurmountable 2-1 lead. Byfuglien's goal was his 5th of the postseason, and was assisted by fellow young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Byfuglien was named the third star of the game for his game-winning goal.

The Blackhawks and Sharks are evenly-matched powers that should make for a long Conference Finals series. Chicago has now won 5 consecutive road games in the playoffs, and San Jose needs to halt that streak in Game 2 if they want a chance to advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in team history.

Expect another close one in Game 2 filled with many shots on goal. We'll see how the hot goalies hold up next time around.