Blackhawks 4, Oilers 0
CHICAGO -- Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford recorded a shutout while making 33 saves in a 4-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center on Thursday.
Crawford has been nearly unbeatable for the Blackhawks (18-11-4) in December. He has registered shutouts in three of the last four games and hasn't allowed more than two goals in seven of eight starts during the month.
The Blackhawks' top line of left winger Teuvo Teravainen, center Jonathan Toews and right winger Marian Hossa carried the team's offense against the Oilers (14-17-2). The line factored into the Blackhawks' first three goals, and each player registered three points in the win.
Toews provided the Blackhawks with a 1-0 lead when he scored off a one-timer from the right circle during a 2-on-1 rush at 6:00 of the first period. Teravainen passed the puck to the stick of Hossa, creating the odd-man rush. Hossa delivered the puck from the left circle to set up Toews for the goal.
Teravainen extended the Blackhawks' lead to 2-0 when he scored from the slot off a pass from Toews at 12:29 of the second period. The scoring chance began when Hossa forced a turnover and got the puck to Toews.
Teravainen also scored the Blackhawks' third goal as he knocked in a rebound at 16:42 of the third period. Toews and Hossa each had an assist on the goal.
Blackhawks left winger Artemi Panarin produced the game's final goal at 18:35 of the third period.
Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane recorded an assist on the play. He set a franchise-record 26-game point streak prior to going without a point against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot stopped 33 of 37 shots. The Oilers have lost their last two games after having a six-game winning streak. The Oilers fell to 5-12-1 on the road for the season.
Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger suffered an undisclosed injury in the second period and did not return for the third period.
Thursday's game marked the final one between the Blackhawks and Oilers during the regular season. The Blackhawks swept the season series with two regulation victories and one overtime win.
NOTES: Blackhawks LW Ryan Garbutt returned to the lineup after being scratched the last three games. He replaced LW Brandon Mashinter. ... RW Marian Hossa has not participated in the Blackhawks' last three morning skates, but Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Hossa has not been dealing with any injuries. ... Oilers LW Rob Klinkhammer missed Thursday's game after suffering an undisclosed injury against the New York Rangers on Tuesday. He previously missed 21 games due to an ankle injury. ... Oilers coach Todd McLellan said LW Benoit Pouliot could return to play prior to the league's Christmas break. He hasn't played since Nov. 30 due to a lower-body injury.