Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Patrick Kane scored the decisive goal in the shootout, lifting Chicago to a 2-1 win over Vancouver.
Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp also lit the lamp during the shootout, while Viktor Stalberg scored in regulation for the Blackhawks, who won their fourth straight game after losing three of four to begin the season.
Kane sent a backhand attempt at Roberto Luongo and the puck trickled under the Vancouver netminder’s pads and into the net near the right post in the shootout.
Mikael Samuelsson had an opportunity to extend it, but his backhand was wide of the net. Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler scored earlier in the shootout.
Marty Turco stood tall with 36 saves for Chicago, which won the battle in the rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinals.
“It was a solid gam all the way around against a hungry, aggressive team that had a lot to play for tonight,” Turco said.
Luongo made 31 stops for the Canucks, who got the tying tally on the power play, one minute into the third from Sedin. The Canucks lost for the fourth time in five tries.
“That’s the way we have to treat every game,” Sedin said. “It’s a tough league. Especially here on the road, you have to be able to win games, 1-0, 2-1. You’re not going to score five, six goals every game. It was a step in the right direction.”
Stalberg scored on a shot from the right circle with 38 seconds left in the opening period, during which Turco made nine saves.
Turco stopped all 10 shots he faced in the second period, including one on a possible short-handed breakaway, but he was called for a tripping penalty on the play 5:49 into the stanza.
Vancouver finally tied the game a minute into the third while on the power play. Duncan Keith was given a high-sticking penalty in the final minute of the second and the Canucks capitalized in front of the net. Christian Ehrhoff tried to stuff the puck in from the right side. The disc eventually rolled through the crease to a waiting Sedin, who banged in the rebound.
Dave Bolland had a breakaway chance 5 1/2 minutes into the third, but the puck was knocked away as he got to the net. Aaron Rome was called for slashing, but the Blackhawks didn’t connect on the ensuing power play.
Kevin Bieksa was sent off the ice for cross-checking Toews into the boards behind on the left rear wall with 6:01 remaining, but Chicago didn’t have a decent chance on the man-advantage.
Marian Hossa was sent on a breakaway for the defending Stanley Cup champions with just over two minutes left in overtime, but Luongo came up with the blocker save.