Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonathan Toews' late second-period goal
proved to be the game-winner as the Chicago Blackhawks snapped a three-game
winless streak by topping the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Sunday.
Marian Hossa registered a goal and one assist on his 35th birthday, helping
Chicago sweep the season series against Edmonton. The Blackhawks scored five
goals in all three meetings.
Antti Raanta allowed two Edmonton goals on 20 shots and was on the bench for a
delayed penalty when the puck wound up in the vacated net.
Ales Hemsky had one goal and a helper for the Oilers, who have dropped six of
their last eight games. Devan Dubnyk was beaten five times on 41 shots.
"We made it pretty easy on them. Against a team like that, they're going to
make you pay," said Edmonton forward Taylor Hall.
The Oilers, already down a man, were going to be assessed another penalty when
Patrick Kane's errant pass went off the boards and down the ice into the empty
cage. Boyd Gordon was credited with the short-handed goal that tied the game
at 2-2 with 8:31 remaining in the second period.
Chicago bounced back from the miscue to score twice before the end of the
frame. Hossa lit the lamp on the ensuing 5-on-3 power play 29 seconds later
and Toews slipped a backhander through Dubnyk's legs with 2:28 left.
"(I) just thought a point man was there and it seemed to just keep catching
speed and went in the net, but it was good that we got it right back," Kane
said.
The Oilers trimmed the deficit to 4-3 when Justin Schultz dished the puck to
Hall in the slot for an easy tap-in goal with 5:17 gone in the third.
Brent Seabrook, however, restored Chicago's two-goal advantage with 5:41
remaining.
Hemsky opened the scoring 6:08 into the contest, but Ben Smith countered for
the Blackhawks with 5:34 to go in the first period. Chicago moved ahead on
Andrew Shaw's tally at 2:36 of the second.
Game Notes
The Blackhawks improved to 10-0-4 against Pacific Division teams this season
.. The Oilers have lost four straight and five of the last six meetings to
Chicago.