Sharp gets 2 goals to lead stingy Blackhawks past Wild 3-0 to take 3-1 lead in series

Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp, center, celebrates his goal off Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding, left, in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in St. Paul, Minn. At right is Wild's Jared Spurgeon (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook gets checked into the wall by Minnesota Wild's Cal Clutterbuck in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (The Associated Press)

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Patrick Sharp scored two goals for Chicago, and the Blackhawks ratcheted up their defense, putting the Minnesota Wild on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory Tuesday night.

Bryan Bickell also scored and Corey Crawford made 25 saves for the Blackhawks, who built a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven matchup.

The Wild had another goalie get hurt when Josh Harding's injury forced Darcy Kuemper into action after the first intermission. Sharp scored on Chicago's first shot at the rookie 62 seconds into the second period.

Minnesota, the only one of the 16 NHL playoff teams without a power-play goal this postseason, went scoreless in six man-advantage situations and is 0 for 15 in the series. Game 5 is back in Chicago on Thursday night.