SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks knew that dealing with Dustin Byfuglien's 257-pound frame in front of the net would be a challenge in the Western Conference final.

Byfuglien showed that his shot can be pretty dangerous too.

Byfuglien scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:45 remaining in regulation and rookie Antti Niemi made 44 saves to help the Chicago Blackhawks get off to a fast start for a change this postseason by beating San Jose 2-1 Sunday in the conference final opener.

"I feel like I'm at the top of my game right now," Byfuglien said. "I think there's improvements to be made. Just got to keep working and just getting in front, you know, getting dirty."

Byfuglien also showed other elements of his game. With the score tied at 1 in the third period, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews won an offensive zone faceoff from Joe Thornton. Patrick Kane got the puck off the boards to Byfuglien in the slot.

Byfuglien beat Evgeni Nabokov with a big shot from the slot for his fifth goal of the postseason.