ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Artem Anisimov scored a power-play goal with 5:42 left in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 2-0 on Saturday night.
Corey Crawford made 24 saves for his second straight shutout as the Blackhawks won their second straight after three straight losses.
Devan Dubnyk stopped 33 shots for Minnesota, which finished a season-long six-game homestand 3-3-0.
Minnesota Wild’s Mikko Koivu (9) and Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Sharp (10) look toward a loose puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
With Minnesota’s Luke Kunin serving a double-minor for high-sticking, Duncan Keith’s shot from just inside the blue line was deflected in front by Anisimov just past the halfway point of the man advantage.
Anisimov has scored in four straight games, including two power-play goals.
Alex DeBrincat added an empty-net goal for the second straight game.
Crawford, who entered the night with a 1.92 goals-against average (fourth-best in the league) and .941 save percentage (third-best), made his best stop early in the third when he got his glove up to thwart a breakaway by Eric Staal. He stacked the pads to stop Jared Spurgeon a short time later on another breakaway.
Crawford also came out to stop Mikko Koivu with the left pad, seconds before Jan Rutta cleared a loose puck out of the Chicago crease.
His strong play has been needed. After hitting double digits on opening night, the Blackhawks have scored 33 goals in 13 games, yet have gone 6-5-2.
Both teams missed by inches in the first period.
Chicago’s Richard Panik hit the crossbar 13 minutes in, and a redirect from Nino Niederreiter during a late Wild power play bounced off the post, off the far leg of Crawford as he struggled to get back into position and out of harm’s way as the goal horn incorrectly sounded.
DeBrincat hit the post on a 2-on-1 with Panik early in the second.
NOTES: Chicago is 2-4-0 against the Central Division this season. Minnesota is 1-3-0. … Chicago D Gustav Forsling (upper body) missed his second straight game. He practiced with the team Friday and might return Sunday. … Wild C Landon Ferraro, who’s missed six games with a hip flexor, was back on the ice for Friday’s practice.
UP NEXT
Chicago: Returns home to face Montreal Sunday
Minnesota: Starts a four-game trip Monday in Boston
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Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews (19) controls the puck over Minnesota Wild’s Eric Staal (12) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Chicago Blackhawks’ John Hayden (40) passes the puck away from Minnesota Wild’s Mike Reilly (4) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
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