Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrick Kane's power-play goal late in the second period proved to be the difference, as the Chicago Blackhawks edged the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, on Saturday at United Center.
Ben Smith scored once and Corey Crawford stopped 28-of-29 shots for the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, who earned consecutive victories for the first time this season.
"I was just playing," Crawford said. "It's nice to win a tight one like that."
Drew Stafford netted the lone Buffalo goal, while Ryan Miller allowed both goals on 40 shots for the Sabres, who remained winless through six games this season.
"We're just going to have to keep doing what we're doing until we break through," Miller remarked.
Buffalo hasn't gone this far into a season without a win since opening the 1999-2000 season with five losses and two ties.
Smith got the Blackhawks on the board near the midpoint of the first period, tipping in Brent Seabrook's point blast to make it 1-0 at 9:26.
After Buffalo's Rasmus Ristolainen went off for holding with 1:19 left in the second, Kane doubled Chicago's cushion less than a minute into the man advantage.
Kane's first shot from the right circle was turned away by Miller, but Patrick Sharp picked up the rebound, skated around the Buffalo net and made his way into the lower left circle before feathering a cross-ice feed for Kane, who ripped a slapper past a sprawling Miller to make it 2-0 with 24.9 ticks left in the period.
Stafford gave the Sabres some life with 11:49 elapsed in the third, beating Crawford through the five-hole on a quick wrister from the left circle to bring Buffalo within one.
However, Crawford was able to keep Buffalo at bay, racking up 12 saves over the final 20 minutes to keep Chicago in front.
Game Notes
