Blackhawks cool off Ducks with 4-2 victory
Marian Hossa scored two goals, and Kris Versteeg and Bryan Bickell also tallied to lead the Chicago Blackhawks past Anaheim 4-2 on Friday night to end the Ducks' eight-game winning streak and hand them only their second loss in the past 20 games.
Corey Crawford made 19 saves to help the Blackhawks end a five-game losing streak against Anaheim — including three straight in Chicago — and beat the Ducks for the first time since December 2011.
With Chicago cruising 3-0, Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf scored on a wrist shot to cap an odd-man break with 6:13 left in the third to end Crawford's shutout bid.
Then Kyle Palmieri connected on a 40-foot shot 53 seconds later to make it close before Hossa scored into an empty net with 7.6 seconds left.
Anaheim's run of 18 wins in 19 games began with a 3-2 shootout victory at Chicago on Dec. 6. It was the longest span of one-loss play since the 1967-68 Montreal Canadiens won a record 20 of 21.
Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller was sharp and made 31 saves, but his 14-game winning streak ended. That run tied him for second-longest in NHL history with four other goalies.
Hiller hadn't lost since a shootout defeat to Los Angeles on Dec. 3.
Despite scuffling along at 1-1-3 in its past five games, defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago entered the game with the NHL's second-best point total.
Through most of the showdown against league-leading Anaheim, the Blackhawks were a step quicker and more-determined physically.
Chicago outshot the Ducks 35-21.
Versteeg collided with Bickell behind the Anaheim net at the end of the second period and didn't skate in the third.
Chicago outshot Anaheim 15-8 in the first period and led 2-0 after 20 minutes.
The Blackhawks dominated early, and Hossa opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 10:34.
Toews skated quickly out of the Chicago zone and sent the puck to Hossa on right wing. As Toews streaked down the slot, Hossa faked, used Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler as a screen and fired a low shot under Hiller's pads.
It was the first time the Blackhawks had opened the scoring since Jan. 3, a span of six games.
Versteeg made it 2-0 with 2:54 left in the period when he batted in a loose puck that two Ducks players couldn't handle.
Anaheim's Matt Beleskey knocked the puck away from Versteeg as he tried to cut in from the right corner, but it deflected off defenseman Sami Vatanen and toward the net. Versteeg got a piece of the flipping puck and directed it past Hiller.
Crawford made a point-blank pad save on Corey Perry with 1:13 left to maintain Chicago's two-goal lead. He stopped Saku Koivu on a short-handed 2-on-1 break early in the scoreless second.
Aided by three power plays, Blackhawks outshot the Ducks 11-3 in the middle period.
Bickell made it 3-0 at 10:13 of the third. He gained a step on Anaheim defenseman Ben Lovejoy, plowed down the slot and fired.
Hiller got a piece of the shot, but it rolled over him and into the net.
After Getzlaf cut it to 3-1 with 6:13 left, Palmieri fooled Crawford on a low 40-foot shot from the slot 53 seconds later to set up a wild finish. The Ducks pressured and pulled Hiller for an extra attacker with 1:10 left, but couldn't tie it.